The whole affair had been a failure; and though he might be able to pass off the porch at Cockchaffington among his friends, he could not but be aware himself that he had spent his time, his trouble, and his money for nothing.
He became aware, as he returned to Lessboro', that had he intended to make any pleasant use whatever of his position in reference to Mrs.
Trevelyan, the tone of his letter and his whole mode of proceeding should have been less patriarchal.

And he should have contrived a meeting without the presence of Nora Rowley.
As soon as he had left them, Mrs.Trevelyan went to her own room, and Nora at once rejoined Priscilla.
"Is he gone ?" asked Priscilla.
"Oh, yes;--he has gone." "What would I have given that he had never come!" "And yet," said Nora, "what harm has he done?
I wish he had not come, because, of course, people will talk! But nothing was more natural than that he should come over to see us when he was so near us." "Nora!" "What do you mean ?" "You don't believe all that?
In the neighbourhood! I believe he came on purpose to see your sister, and I think that it was a dastardly and most ungentleman-like thing to do." "I am quite sure you are wrong, then,--altogether wrong," said Nora.
"Very well.

We must have our own opinions.

I am glad you can be so charitable.

But he should not have come here,--to this house, even though imperative business had brought him into the very village.
But men in their vanity never think of the injury they may do to a woman's name.