At present it brought about a very sudden change in his state of mind; he went upstairs again, and sat with the letter before him, sunk in misery.

The reaction had given him a headache.
A fortnight, and no word from Lady Whitelaw.

But neither was Godwin's letter posted.
Was he at liberty to indulge the self-respect which urged him to write?
In a moment of heated confidence it was all very well to talk of 'getting some occupation' in London, but he knew that this might prove no easy matter.

A year's work at the School of Mines would decidedly facilitate his endeavour; and, seeing that his mother's peace depended upon his being speedily self-supporting, was it not a form of selfishness to reject help from one who could well afford it?
From a distance, he regarded Lady Whitelaw with more charity; a longer talk with her might have led to better mutual apprehension.

And, after all, it was not she but her husband to whom he would stand indebted.