The shadows of the last weeks had suddenly become ghastly realities once more.

The roar of Niagara drowned all other sounds.

What was he going to do?
What was he going to do in the predicament towards which he had been drifting so long, which was now actually upon him?
Who shall say what horror, what agony of mind, what frenzied searching for a way of escape, what anguish of baffled love crowded in on Hugh's mind during those last days?
At the last moment he caught at a straw, and wrote to Lord Newhaven offering to fight him.

He did not ask himself what he should do if Lord Newhaven refused.

But when Lord Newhaven did refuse his determination, long unconsciously fostered, sprang full-grown into existence in a sudden access of passionate anger and blind rage.
"He won't fight, won't he! He thinks I will die like a rat in a trap with all my life before me.