[Peg Woffington by Charles Reade]@TWC D-Link bookPeg Woffington CHAPTER III 3/13
Vane could not help thinking it hard that a man who professed no respect for her should thus keep the light from him; and he could hardly conceal his satisfaction when Pomander, at night, bade him farewell for a fortnight. Pressing business took Sir Charles into the country. The good Sir Charles, however, could not go without leaving his sting behind as a companion to his friend.
He called on Mr.Vane and after a short preface, containing the words "our friendship," "old kindness," "my greater experience," he gravely warned him against Mrs.Woffington. "Not that I would say this if you could take her for what she is, and amuse yourself with her as she will with you, if she thinks it worth her while.
But I see you have a heart, and she will make a football of it, and torment you beyond all you have ever conceived of human anguish." Mr.Vane colored high, and was about to interrupt the speaker; but he continued: "There, I am in a hurry.
But ask Quin, or anybody who knows her history, you will find she has had scores of lovers, and no one remains her friend after they part." "Men are such villains!" "Very likely," was the reply; "but twenty men don't ill-use one good woman; those are not the proportions.
Adieu!" This last hit frightened Mr.Vane, he began to look into himself; he could not but feel that he was a mere child in this woman's hands; and, more than that, his conscience told him that if his heart should be made a football of it would be only a just and probable punishment.
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