Then he thought of what old Edward had said to him, and of what Mr.Granger had said with reference to Beatrice and Owen Davies.

The views of both were crudely and even vulgarly expressed, but they coincided, and, what was more, there was truth in them, and he knew it.

The idea of Beatrice marrying Mr.Davies, to put it mildly, was repulsive to him; but had he any claim to stand between her and so desirable a settlement in life?
Clearly, he had not, his conscience told him so.
Could it be right, moreover, that this kind of tie which existed between them should be knitted more closely?
What would it mean?
Trouble, and nothing but trouble, more especially to Beatrice, who would fret her days away to no end.

He had done wrong in coming here at all, he had done wrong in taking her hand.

He would make the only reparation in his power (as though in such a case as that of Beatrice reparation were now possible)! He would efface himself from her life and see her no more.
Then she might learn to forget him, or, at the worst, to remember him with but a vague regret.