He had had time to have an interview with his little _fiance_, who seemed surprised that he wanted it in private, and who, to his great relief, insisted on making very cool adieux to him in the public hall, where everyone was passing to and fro, and where Mr.Gower was making a nuisance of himself by playing ball against the library door.

Naturally it was impossible to have an affecting parting there.
Marian had not come down to breakfast.

And Sir Maurice was conscious of a passionate sense of relief.

She had heard.

He knew--he felt that! His mother would not spare her; and even if she had not cared as _he_ had cared, still, unless she was the greatest fiend on earth, she must have had some small love for him--how _terribly_ small he knows! He assures himself of that all day long in the living torture he is enduring, as if by it he can reconcile himself to his marriage with this child, whose money is so hateful, and whose presence is such a bore.
There are a few things, however, always to be thankful for.