Alice would be near him, a terrible reproach-she, the devotee of strength and competence.

He could not win her, and it is characteristic of the man that he had ceased to think of Mr.Stocks as his rival.

He would lose her to no rival; to his ragged incapacity alone would his ill fortune be due.
He struggled to act the part of the cheerful host, and Wratislaw watched his efforts grimly.

He ate little at dinner, showed no desire to smoke, and played billiards so badly that Wratislaw, an execrable player, won the first and last game of his life.

The victor took him out of doors thereafter to walk on the moonlit, fragrant lawn.
"You are taking things to heart," said he.
"And I'm blessed if I can understand you.