And then he gazed into the fire, and considered his case.

He had spent a large portion of his life in considering his case, and, therefore, the operation was a familiar one to him.

This time the case was not a satisfactory one.

Everything in this love affair with Miss March had gone on in a manner in which he had not intended, and of which he greatly disapproved.

No one in the world could have planned the affair more prudently than he had planned it.