But it was not so.

Hewett had merely abandoned himself to an unreasonable resentment.

Notwithstanding his concessions, he blamed Sidney for the girl's leaving home, and, as his mood grew more irritable, the more hopeless it seemed that Clara would return, he nursed the suspicion of treacherous behaviour on Sidney's part.

He would not take into account any such thing as pride which could forbid the young man to urge a rejected suit.

Sidney had grown tired of Clara, that was the truth, and gladly caught at any means of excusing himself.
He had made new friends.