He had known Maltravers ambitious; and with him, ambition and self-interest meant the same.

Thus, by the very _finesse_ of his character--while Vargrave ever with the worldly was a keen and almost infallible observer--with natures of a more refined, or a higher order, he always missed the mark by overshooting.

Besides, had a suspicion of Maltravers ever crossed him, Caroline's communications would have dispelled it.
It was more strange that Caroline should have been blind; nor would she have been so had she been less absorbed in her own schemes and destinies.

All her usual penetration had of late settled in self; and an uneasy feeling--half arising from conscientious reluctance to aid Vargrave's objects, half from jealous irritation at the thought of Vargrave's marrying another--had prevented her from seeking any very intimate or confidential communication with Evelyn herself.
The dreaded conference was over; Evelyn parted from Vargrave with the very feelings he had calculated on exciting,--the moment he ceased to be her lover, her old childish regard for him recommenced.

She pitied his dejection, she respected his generosity, she was deeply grateful for his forbearance.