As he opened it, he saw her turn away for an instant; then she waited for him, entirely tranquil, the clear fire shedding a still glow over the room, no cry or shiver of pain to show how his coming broke open the old wound.

She smiled even, when he leaned against the window, with a careless welcome.
Holmes stopped, confounded.

It did not suit him,--this.

If you know a man's nature, you comprehend why.

The bitterest reproach, or a proud contempt would have been less galling than this gentle indifference.
His hold had slipped from off the woman, he believed.