He was absurdly tender-hearted, and he thought that, after all, it didn't matter so very much.

The little house left him by his mother needed a mistress; he would probably marry somebody or other, anyhow; and she seemed such a harmless little thing.

It would please her so much! When the hurried marriage had come to a pathetic end by her early death everyone was tragic about it except Aylmer.

All his friends declared he was heart-broken and lonely and would never marry again.

He had indeed been shocked and grieved at her death, but only for her--not at being left alone.