He had pleased himself and done what was likely to tend, and had tended, altogether to his own ease and comfort.

In any case Emily Fox-Seton was a fine creature, and only thirty-four, and with Alec Osborn at the other side of the globe the question of leaving an heir had been less present and consequently had dwindled in importance.
The nearness of the Osborns fretted him just now.

If their child was a son, he would be more fretted still.

He was rather glad of a possibility, just looming, of his being called away from England through affairs of importance.
He had spoken to Emily of this possibility, and she had understood that, as his movements and the length of his stay would be uncertain, she would not accompany him.
"There is one drawback to our marriage," he said.
"Is it--is it anything I can remove ?" Emily asked.
"No, though you are responsible for it.

People seldom can remove the drawbacks they are responsible for.