True, that warmth of feeling had come to represent merely a temptation to him; but was not that the consequence of his own ambiguous attitude?
Suppose he had not known Maud Enderby, how would he then have regarded Ida, and his relations to her?
Were these in very deed founded on nothing but selfish feeling?
Then he reviewed all his acquaintanceship with her from the first, and every detail of the story grew to a new aspect.
Thinking of Ida, he found himself wondering how it was that Mr.
Woodstock appeared to take so much interest in her fate.

Several times during the past six months the old man had referred to her, generally inquiring whether Waymark had written to or heard from her.

And, only two days ago, he had shown that he remembered the exact date of her release, in asking whether Waymark meant to do anything.

Waymark replying that he intended to meet her, and give her what assistance he could, the old gentleman had signified his strong approval, and had even gone on to mention a house in the neighbourhood of the office, where Ida could be lodged at first.

A room had accordingly been secured beforehand, and it was arranged that Waymark should take her directly thither on the Tuesday morning.