How much had happened since then! She had been married in her glory, had become a countess, and then a widow, and was now returning with a tarnished name, almost repudiated by those who had been her dearest friends; but with rank and fortune at her command--and again a free woman.

He could not but think what might have been his chance were it not for Florence Burton! But much had happened to him also.

He had almost perished in his misery--so he told himself--but had once more "tricked his beams"-- that was his expression to himself--and was now "flaming in the forehead" of a glorious love.
And even if there had been no such love, would a widowed countess with a damaged name have suited his ambition, simply because she had the rich dower of the poor wretch to whom she had sold herself?
No, indeed.

There could be no question of renewed vows between them now; there could have been no such question even had there been no "glorious love," which had accrued to him almost as his normal privilege, in right of his pupilage in Mr.Burton's office.

No; there could be, there could have been, nothing now between him and the widowed Countess of Ongar.