He could take no pride in his rejected love.

He would rid himself of it at a moment's notice if he knew the way.

He would throw himself at the feet of some second-rate, tawdry, well-born, well-known beauty of the day,--only that there was not now left to him strength to pretend the feeling that would be necessary.
Then he heard steps, and jumping up from his seat, stood just in the way of Emily Wharton and her cousin Mary.

"Ain't you going to dress for dinner, young man ?" said the latter.
"I shall have time if you have, any way," said Arthur, endeavouring to pluck up his spirits.
"That's nice of him;--isn't it ?" said Mary.

"Why, we are dressed.
What more do you want?
We came out to look for you, though we didn't mean to come as far as this.