It was this sense of his usual accuracy of expression that assisted Bernard in fitting a meaning to his late companion's letter.

He intended to intimate that he had come back to Baden with his mind made up to relinquish his suit, and that he had questioned Bernard simply from moral curiosity--for the sake of intellectual satisfaction.

Nothing was altered by the fact that Bernard had told him a sorry tale; it had not modified his behavior--that effect would have been traceable.

It had simply affected his imagination, which was a consequence of the imponderable sort.

This view of the case was supported by Gordon's mention of his good spirits.