They had gazed at him in their strange, surcharged hours of feeling, until they seemed themselves to live in every one of his stars.

This evening Paul had been moody and perverse.

Orion had seemed just an ordinary constellation to him.

He had fought against his glamour and fascination.
Miriam was watching her lover's mood carefully.

But he said nothing that gave him away, till the moment came to part, when he stood frowning gloomily at the gathered clouds, behind which the great constellation must be striding still.
There was to be a little party at his house the next day, at which she was to attend.
"I shan't come and meet you," he said.
"Oh, very well; it's not very nice out," she replied slowly.
"It's not that--only they don't like me to.