THE TEST ON MIRIAM WITH the spring came again the old madness and battle.

Now he knew he would have to go to Miriam.

But what was his reluctance?
He told himself it was only a sort of overstrong virginity in her and him which neither could break through.

He might have married her; but his circumstances at home made it difficult, and, moreover, he did not want to marry.
Marriage was for life, and because they had become close companions, he and she, he did not see that it should inevitably follow they should be man and wife.

He did not feel that he wanted marriage with Miriam.