After all, the affair had little consequence.

It had only suggested itself after the meeting in Munich, and perhaps--he said to himself--all things considered, the event was just as well.
But Alma felt the double insult, to her worldly honour, to her womanhood.

The man had not even made pretence of loving her; and this, whilst it embittered her disappointment, strengthened her to cast from her mind the baser temptation.

Marriage she would have accepted, though doubtless with becoming hesitancy; the offer could not have been made without one word of tenderness (for Cyrus Redgrave was another than Felix Dymes), and she had not felt it impossible to wed this polished capitalist.

Out of the tumult of her feelings, as another day went by, issued at length that one simple and avowable sense of disappointment.
She had grasped the prize, and heated her imagination in regarding it; had overcome natural reluctances, objections personal and moral; was ready to sit down and write to Mrs.Frothingham the splendid, startling announcement.