Mrs.Hannaford felt sure that he had been to see Irene, and had received, or fancied, some sort of encouragement.

Olga thought so too, and felt sorry to see him in a fool's paradise.
That very evening he sat down and resolved to work.

He had an appetite for it once more.

He worked till long after midnight, and on the morrow kept his old hours.

Moreover, he wrote a long letter to Hawes, a good, frank letter, giving his father a full account of the meetings with Daniel and Alexander, and telling all about the pecuniary transactions:--"I hope you will not think I behaved very foolishly.
Indeed, it has given me pleasure to share with them.