The earl, too, and his wife had not been in England since their marriage; so that these rumors had been filtered to them at home through a foreign medium.

During most of their time they had been in Italy, and now, as Harry knew, they were at Florence.

He had heard that Lord Ongar had declared his intention of suing for a divorce; but that he supposed to be erroneous, as the two were still living under the same roof.

Then he heard that Lord Ongar was ill; and whispers were spread abroad darkly and doubtingly, as though great misfortunes were apprehended.
Harry could not fail to tell himself that had Julia become his wife, as she had once promised, these whispers and this darkness would hardly have come to pass.

But not on that account did he now regret that her early vows had not been kept.