It seems very clear to me that, if I had not come, from sheer force of affectionate propinquity you would have married Lady Maggie." Nigel's frown deepened.
"Prince Shan!" he began.
Again the outstretched hand seemed as though the fingers were pressed against his mouth.

He broke off abruptly in his protest.
"You would have lived a contented life, because that is your province," his companion continued.

"You would have felt yourself happy because you would have been a faithful husband.

But the time would have come when you would both have realised that you had missed the great things." "This is idle prophecy," Nigel observed, a little impatiently.

"I came to see you upon another matter." "Humour me," the Prince begged.