He watched it burn.
It was his first overt act of rebellion against her yoke, the first step along the nearest of the many well-worn paths that a man takes at random to leave a woman.

It did not occur to him that Lady Newhaven might have written to him about his encounter with her husband.

He knew Lord Newhaven well enough to be absolutely certain that he would mention the subject to no living creature, least of all to his wife.
"Neither will I," he said to himself; "and as for her, I will break with her from this day forward." The little pink notes with the dashing, twirly handwriting persisted for a week or two and then ceased.
* * * * * Hugh was a man of many social engagements.

His first impulse, when later in the day he remembered them, was to throw them all up and leave London.

But Lord Newhaven would hear of his departure, and would smile.
He decided to remain and to go on as if nothing had happened.