And after Jane had left the room he sat down again, irresolute and miserable.

"Why should I go to the Club ?" he asked himself.

"Why should I care about its small ways and regulations?
I have something far more important to think of.

I will not go out tonight." He sat still thinking for half an hour, then he looked again at his watch and found that it was yet possible to be at the Club in time.

So with a great sigh he obeyed that urging of duty, which even in society matters he could not neglect and be at rest.
There was no light in Jane's room when he returned home and he spent the night miserably.