The recollection of Miss Wardour, determined not to acknowledge him when compelled to endure his society, and evincing her purpose to escape from it, would have alone occupied his imagination exclusively.

But with this were united recollections more agitating if less painful,--her hair-breadth escape--the fortunate assistance which he had been able to render her--Yet what was his requital?
She left the cliff while his fate was yet doubtful--while it was uncertain whether her preserver had not lost the life which he had exposed for her so freely.

Surely gratitude, at least, called for some little interest in his fate--But no--she could not be selfish or unjust--it was no part of her nature.

She only desired to shut the door against hope, and, even in compassion to him, to extinguish a passion which she could never return.
But this lover-like mode of reasoning was not likely to reconcile him to his fate, since the more amiable his imagination presented Miss Wardour, the more inconsolable he felt he should be rendered by the extinction of his hopes.

He was, indeed, conscious of possessing the power of removing her prejudices on some points; but, even in extremity, he determined to keep the original determination which he had formed, of ascertaining that she desired an explanation, ere he intruded one upon her.