An Angel Runs Away by Barbara Cartland

think it very – presumptuous and perhaps very – impertinent of me – but you are so magnificent in – yourself, so kind and so wonderful, that it spoils – you when you are – vindictive and too petty to be – worthy of what you – really are.”
    She spoke hesitatingly, stumbling a little over the words.
    Then she added quickly,
    “I-I am not putting it very well – but it is what I feel is – true.”
    The Marquis looked at her for a long moment, then he walked to stand at the window looking out into the garden.
    The gardeners and a number of servants were busy removing the Chinese lanterns from the trees and lifting up the fairy lights that had edged the paths.
    He did not see them.
    He was looking back into the past, when he knew he had been a very different person from the one he was at the moment.
    Then he had been young and idealistic, and had believed, as his mother had taught him, that in his position he had to set an example of everything that was fine and noble to those who served and looked up to him.
    He wondered now if he had lost that ideal, when behind him he heard a very small voice ask,
    “Y-you are not – angry with – me?”
    He turned around.
    Ula was looking at him somewhat piteously and he realised that she was afraid of what she had just said.
    “I am not angry,” he said quietly, “and I have an uncomfortable feeling that you are right.”
     

chapter five
    Ula awoke with a feeling of happiness.
    She had gone to bed after a quiet dinner with the Duchess and the Marquis and they had laughed a great deal as they talked over everything that had happened the night before.
    There were so many things to amuse them.
    One of the guests had held a wine glass under the fountain spraying perfume and said,
    “I am sure this wine is delicious!”
    Then, as he took a large gulp from the glass, he had not known whether to spit it out or to swallow it!
    There were some very amusing incidents in the garden when, trying to catch the balloons that were floating down from the top of the house, several ladies and gentlemen had fallen into the flowerbeds and a lady’s gown had been set on fire by one of the fairy lights.
    It was very quickly extinguished and only scorched a frill of her gown, but she screamed and made enough noise as if she had been burned at the stake!
    They also laughed over the many compliments the Marquis had received. The Duchess had found many of her friends with debutante daughters had tried to be congratulatory about the magnificence of the ball, but found it difficult.
    When dinner was over the Duchess said,
    “I have never enjoyed your company more, Drogo, or known you in better form, but now, unfortunately, as I am so old, I must retire to my bed.”
    “Of course you must rest,” the Marquis said, “for I believe there is another ball tomorrow night at which Ula must consolidate her position as a great beauty.”
    “I am quite certain she will do that,” the Duchess said, patting Ula’s arm affectionately.
    “Will you be accompanying us?”
    “It is unlikely,” the Marquis replied, “as I shall not return to London until late in the evening.”
    “Where are you going?” the Duchess asked.
    “To Epsom,” the Marquis replied. “Have you forgotten that there is racing there tomorrow?”
    “Oh, of course and I suppose, as usual, you will win all the major races.”
    “I sincerely hope so!”
    “I wish I could come with you!” Ula exclaimed impulsively.
    The Marquis looked at her and then he said,
    “I never thought of it, but, of course, another time I will take you racing, especially when I am sure that my horses are going to win.”
    “That will be wonderful!” she enthused.
    But, as they walked out of the dining room, she had the feeling that tomorrow he would be accompanied by one of the beautiful women who had been at his side last night.
    It was nothing he had said and yet she was sure it was the truth and somehow she felt suddenly lost and alone, as