Lives of Alcyone

anyone but Alcyone, he was quite willing she should marry someone
else if she really wished it, and if it was best for her, but that he
could not believe that she could commit such an outrage on good
taste as to marry that particular person. He insisted upon hearing
her decision from her own lips, and even then he told her that he
could not really believe it, but thought that she must be under some
enchantment. He came near guessing the truth, which terrified her
greatly, and made her try the more earnestly to deceive him.
Her elder brother Uranus was away from home at this time, or
it is probable that he would have solved the difficulty. As it was, she
carried out her bargain and resolved to make the best of it, but her
life was never really a happy one, though so far as the physical
plane was concerned she had luxuries enough. Her husband
disliked Sirius and was jealous of him, so she could see but little of
her old lover. In 4017 Sirius’ mother died, at the birth of a little
son(Vega). Not long after this Markab died also, and Sirius had the
household upon his hands, and as he also succeeded to some of his
father’ s offices he was immersed in business affairs. He still
remained faithful to the memory of Alcyone, and refused to consider
the question of any other marriage, though there were many
advantageous offers.
Alcyone had two children, Taurus and Virgo, and obtained
some consolation in loving them, but was always haunted by the
fear that they would grow up like father. Her life was really a long
martyrdom, for she never forgot her love for Sirius, and never could
learn to like her husband, though she tried to do her duty to him.
When her brother Uranus returned he was amazed and indignant
about her marriage; he questioned her closely, and discussed the
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