Of course, he put forth business as his plea; but in reality he did not wish Cedric to meet him, the lad's incessant chatter all the way to Staplegrove would have worried him excessively.

It was just a year since he had seen Elizabeth, and in his heart he was secretly dreading that first meeting.

Perhaps he had left it too long, he ought to have gone sooner; they would be like strangers, and the first interview would be very embarrassing to them both.

Yes, he had been a fool to spare himself the pain of seeing her grief.

He had kept away, banishing himself for all these months, and yet what good had it done him?
it had only increased his nervousness and discomfort tenfold.