What nerve to play such a game, and so successfully! The determination--the application it required--and the force of character! But the gall of it when she should be his wife! He saw pictures of himself trembling with apprehension at some important function in case mistakes should occur.

He would have to play the part of Arabella, and write out the notes for the subjects to be "talked of at dinner!" He lay there, and groaned with rage and disgust.
He could not--he would not go through with it! But next day the irony of fate fell upon him with heavy hand.

He received the news that Joseph Scroope, his maternal uncle, was dead, not having produced an heir, so he knew that he would inherit a comfortable fortune from him.
The noose had, indeed, tightened round his neck,--he could not now release himself from his engagement to Cecilia Cricklander.

Some instincts of a gentleman still remained with him in full measure.

The hideous, hideous mockery of it all.