He could imagine no other position as to which he could at once have been assured of failure, in any project on which he had set his heart.

But as to this project it was so.

He had been told that she could not love him--that she could never love him;--and he had believed her.

He had made his attempt and had failed; and, as he thought of this, standing under the porch, he became convinced that life for him was altogether changed, and that he who had been so happy must now be a wretched man.
He was still standing there when Mr.Amedroz came down into the hall, dressed for dinner, and saw his figure through the open doors.
"Will," he said, coming up to him, "it only wants five minutes to dinner." Belton started and shook himself, as though he were shaking off a lethargy, and declared that he was quite ready.

Then he remembered that he would be expected to dress, and rushed up-stairs, three steps at a time, to his own room.