But he was no plaster saint, and he could not afford to give Chloe Fairmile too many opportunities.

To break at once, to carry off Daphne and leave Heston, at least for a time--that was the obviously prudent and reasonable course.

But in her present mood it was of no use for him to propose it, tired as she seemed to be of Heston, and disappointed in the neighbours: any plan brought forward by him was doomed beforehand.

Well then, let him go himself; he had been so unhappy during the preceding weeks it would be a jolly relief to turn his back on Heston for a time.
But as soon as he had taken his departure, Chloe perhaps would take hers; and if so, Daphne's jealousy would be worse than ever.

Whatever deserts he might place between himself and Mrs.Fairmile, Daphne would imagine them together.
Meanwhile, there was that Lilliput bond, that small, chafing entanglement, which Chloe had flung round him in her persistence about the letters.