Then a spirit of irresolution came over him, and he said to himself, as he moved slowly away, "It isn't kind in me to leave Mary alone in this way; I know it isn't.
But I want to see Elbridge; and, in fact, partly promised that I would call upon him this evening.

True, I can say all I wish to say to him in the morning, and to quite as good purpose.

But--" Wilkinson, whose steps had been growing more and more deliberate, stopped.

For some time he stood, in a thoughtful attitude--then slowly returned.

His hand was in his pocket, his dead-latch key between his fingers, and his foot upon the marble sill of his door.