In great things Nicholas was closest to her nature; in little things Bellston seemed immeasurably nearer than Nic; and life was made up of little things.
Altogether the firmament looked black for Nicholas Long, notwithstanding her half-hour's ardour for him when she saw him dancing with the dairyman's daughter.

Most great passions, movements, and beliefs--individual and national--burst during their decline into a temporary irradiation, which rivals their original splendour; and then they speedily become extinct.

Perhaps the dance had given the last flare- up to Christine's love.

It seemed to have improvidently consumed for its immediate purpose all her ardour forwards, so that for the future there was nothing left but frigidity.
Nicholas had certainly been very foolish about that licence!.