Merefleet recognised this and resolved to act forthwith, in defiance of Seton or any other obstacle.

He did not realise till later that there was opposed to him a strength which even his will was powerless to overcome.

He did not even take the possibility of this into consideration.
He was very sure of himself and confident of success when he descended late on the following morning to a solitary breakfast--sure of himself, sure of the smile of that fickle goddess Fortune--sure, thrice sure, of the woman he loved.
And he watched for her coming with a rapture that deprived him of his appetite.
But Mab did not come.
Instead, Herbert Seton presently strolled into the room, greeted him, and paused by his table.
"Be good enough to join me on the terrace presently, will you ?" he said abruptly.
And Merefleet nodded with a chill sense of foreboding.

But his resolution was unalterable.

This young man should not, he was determined, by any means cheat him now of his heart's desire.