How nearly--how nearly he had asked for what he knew would not have been refused! How nearly he had decided to do at once what might still be put off till to-morrow! And he _must_ marry; he often told himself so.

She was there beside him on the yellow brocade ottoman.

She was much too good for him; but she liked him.

Should he do it--now?
he asked himself, as he watched the slender gloved hand swaying the feather fan with monotonous languor.
But when he took her back to the ball-room, back to an expectant, tired mother, he had not done it.

He should be at their house in Scotland later.