He must now work out this affair for himself, without regard to persons who really had nothing whatever to do with it.
Closing his door, he hopped back to his table, and, seating himself at it, he opened his travelling inkstand and prepared to write to Miss March.

It was absolutely necessary that he should write this letter, immediately, for, after the message he had received from the lady of his love, no time should be lost in putting himself in communication with her.

But, before beginning to write, he must decide upon the spirit of his letter.
Under the very peculiar circumstances of his acceptance, he did not feel that he ought to indulge in those rapturous expressions of ecstacy in which he most certainly would have indulged, if the lady had personally delivered her decision to him.

He did not doubt her, for what woman would play a joke like that on a man--upon two men, in fact?
Even if there were no other reason she would not dare to do it.
Nor did he doubt Keswick.

It would have been impossible for him to come with such a message, if it had not been delivered to him.