Of course such a mood could not last.

As evening drew on, and there was no word or sign from the Cottage, he began to feel angry both with Lucia and himself; and at night, when he had announced to his host and hostess that he should leave them by the next day's boat, he had made another step, and begun to think it possible that this state of affairs was better and more sensible than if he had been successful in his plan for delaying his journey a little longer and taking a bride home with him.

After all, he concluded, this might only be a delay.

If Lucia had refused to marry him, she had also declared that she would not marry at all.

She meant, therefore, to remain free, and a year hence perhaps all might yet come right.