He was a man who would have never respected himself again--would have hated himself for ever, had he failed to keep a promise from which no living being could absolve him.

He had been right therefore to make the promise, and having made it, had been right to keep it, and to do the thing at once.

And Clara was very good and very wise, and sometimes looked very well, and would never disgrace him; and as she was in worldly matters to receive much and give nothing, she would probably be willing to make herself amenable to any arrangements as to their future mode of life which he might propose.

In respect of this matter he was probably thinking of lodgings for himself in London during the parliamentary session, while she remained alone in the big red house upon which his eyes were fixed at the time.

There was much of convenience in all this, which might perhaps atone to him for the sacrifice which he was undoubtedly making of himself.