All the world had been open to him, and yet how miserable had been his ambition! And now he could see no way out of the ruin he had brought upon himself.
When the time had come he rose from his seat and took the path down to the cottage.

At the corner of the little patch of garden ground attached to it he met Mrs.O'Hara.

Her hat was on her head, and a light shawl was on her shoulders as though she had prepared herself for walking.
He immediately asked after Kate.

She told him that Kate was within and should see him presently.

Would it not be better that they two should go up on the cliffs together, and then say what might be necessary for the mutual understanding of their purposes?
"There should be no talking of all this before Kate," said Mrs.O'Hara.
"That is true." "You can imagine what she must feel if she is told to doubt.