noon
A great temptation , and I want to put away any chance of it ever coming to me again . I could be true to another always when I might not -- '' `` Nancy , '' I interrupted , drawing her down on my knee , `` there is no greater mistake a woman can make than to think that marrying one man will help her to forget another ; for there is just one thing worse than not having the man you want , and that is having the man you do n't want . And if you 're not in love with Montrose , you 'll never get my consent to the wedding , not if he were the Prince himself . '' On the morning following these talks the duke , who was still with us , sent excuses to the breakfast-room that he had passed an uneasy night and would rest until noon ; and his valet , who brought this message , ended by saying : `` His grace is not well . His grace should have a doctor , for he had the bleeding from the lungs again last night , although it would be worth my place if he knew I mentioned it to your lordship . '' In our foggy country a little throat trouble is no great matter , but I ordered my horse for town , meaning to get McMurtrie out , as if by accident , to see what attentions the duke might require ; and riding in some haste by the Bridge end , found a group of men , with papers in their hands , discussing some bit of news with much interest . As I drew near them , Dundas waved the journal at me and called out : `` Our congratulations , John . ''