He was rich enough, and by transferring his business to other hands he could become yet richer, gaining freedom at the same time.

No disappointment would be in store for him as in his former marriage; looking back on that he saw now how boyish he had been, how easily duped.

There was not even the excuse of love.
He held her gained.

What choice would she have, with the alternative to be put before her?
It was strange that, in spite of what should have been sympathetic intelligence, he made a slight account of that love which, as she told him, she had already bestowed.

In fact, he refused to dwell upon the thought of it; it would have maddened him in earnest.