Even in acknowledging that, she hardened herself against him implacably.

Since he chose to take this tone with her, to throw aside all his graceful blindness to her faults, he had only himself to blame if she considered everything at an end between them.

She tried to believe herself glad this had happened; it relieved her from an embarrassment, and made her absolutely free to pursue the ambitions which now gave her no rest.

For all that, she could not dismiss Sidney from her mind; indeed, throughout the week that followed their parting, she thought of him more persistently than for many months.

That he would before long seek pardon for his rudeness she felt certain, she felt also that such submission would gratify her in a high degree.