Beverley endeavored to break through the web of mystery by sheer force.

It seemed to him that a vigorous attempt could not fail to succeed; but, like the fly in the spider's lines, he became more hopelessly bound at every move he made.

Moreover against his will he was realizing that he could no longer deceive himself about Alice.

He loved her, and the love was mastering him body and soul.

Such a confession carries with it into an honest masculine heart a sense of contending responsibilities.