Peter looked at the clock over the mantelpiece. "Like a sermon, what I have to say must be set forth under three heads. The application I shall leave with you," he answered. "First, however, here's a glass of wine. Allow me to drink before you do so. You would not be justified in trusting me until you have heard more." Mr. Norcot poured out two glasses of port, sipped his own and began his explanations. CHAPTER IX A SPECIAL LICENSE "We must deal," said Norcot, "with the relations of four people each to the others. And first let us examine my relations with Grace Malherb. I loved her; I loved her with a whole-hearted, true and deep love that can only find the faintest echo in poetry. Herrick's 'To Anthea, who may command him anything,' comes closest to the real sentiment. But love grows sick like an ill-grown tree, if it grows one-sided. A dark hour struck when with acute sorrow and grief I discovered that I could never win Grace's heart. The bitter truth was stamped into my soul. She would never love me; she risked her life to escape from me; frankly, I was odious to her. Yet I had observed that this emotion of loathing was not always excited in the female heart by my presence. I was blessed, even in the moment of desolation, by discovering that I was loved by another woman. "'Who'er she be, That not impossible She That shall command my heart and me' does not matter. Suffice it that she exists; and she is beautiful and virtuous. "As a matter of fact, I had given up all thought of marrying when once I discovered that Grace Malherb could never love me. I had faced the existence of a bachelor with an indifference bred from disappointment. I had said with Shakespeare-- "'The sweet embraces of a loving wife Loaden with kisses, arm'd with thousand Cupids, Shall never clasp our necks.' But now I think otherwise. To put it conventionally, I am consoled. You will, I know, express your gratification at this, even as Grace did. She kissed me and enjoyed doing it! Think of that! What a piece of work is the feminine throne of the emotions!--eh? She kissed me and wished me abundant blessings--only yesterday. "''Tis done; I yield; adieu, thou cruel fair! Adieu, th' averted face, th' ungracious cheek! From thee I fly to end my grief and care, To hang--To hang?--yes, round another's neck!' So I made light of the matter, and now leave it for ever.