A rebuff, the gentlest possible, but leaving no scintilla of hope.

At the end of the same season she gave her hand to Sir Something Somebody, the diplomatist.
And to-day the hostess was as kind as ever, smiled quite in the old way, held his hand a moment longer than was necessary.

A dozen callers were in the room, he had no opportunity for private speech, and went away without having mentioned the step he was about to take.

Better so; he might have spoken indiscreetly, unbecomingly, in a tone which would only have surprised and shocked that gracious lady.
He reached his rooms again with brain and heart in fiery tumult.

Serena Mumbray!--he was tempted to put an end to his life in some brutal fashion, such as suited with his debasement.
Another letter had arrived during his absence.