But what storm in all Nature can be compared with the rage that stirs the heart of man?
Marian Bethune's coverts hints, added to his own suspicions, have set his heart on fire! And that girl's attempts at evasion, her hiding of her brother's faults--all that, too, had been laid bare to him by Marian! Just now it seems to him as true as life itself that Tita and Tom Hescott have gone for a walk together; somewhere--anywhere beyond the ken of those of her own household.

To think that he should have sacrificed his whole life--that he should have married this child, who is less to him that thistledown, to be cast aside by her, and to let her bring down his good name with ignominy to the dust.
He is striding onwards, lost in miserable thought, when suddenly footsteps, coming quickly towards him, rouse him.

Someone is laughing.

The laughter strikes to his very soul.

When people laugh seldom, one always knows their laugh.