Was the man whom I had enshrined in my heart of hearts capable of such base wickedness as the bare idea of his marriage to another woman implied?
No! Mine was the baseness, mine the wickedness, in having even for a moment thought it of him! I picked up the detestable photograph from the floor, and put it back in the book.

I hastily closed the cupboard door, fetched the library ladder, and set it against the book-case.

My one idea now was the idea of taking refuge in employment of any sort from my own thoughts.

I felt the hateful suspicion that had degraded me coming back again in spite of my efforts to repel it.

The books! the books! my only hope was to absorb myself, body and soul, in the books.
I had one foot on the ladder, when I heard the door of the room open--the door which communicated with the hall.
I looked around, expecting to see the Major.