The possibility that she might have left him altogether in a wild fit of temper had not seemed to him at all outside the bounds of probability.

And it was equally true that when another day had elapsed without bringing further news of her, he had become a prey to the increasing atmosphere of suspicion which, thanks to the gossip that always gathers in the servants' hall, had even spread to the village.
Nor had either his mother or cousin made the least attempt to stem his rising anger.

Far from it.

Lady Gertrude had expressed her opinion with a conciseness that was entirely characteristic.
"You made an unwise choice, my son.

Nan has no sense of her future position as your wife." Isobel had been less blunt in her methods, but a corrosive acid had underlain her gentle speech.
"I can't understand it, Roger.