"
But the memory of the words he had spoken on the roof a few short hours
before stung him at this moment, and sharply reminded him of his inability
to control himself as her lover. Would he be more likely to govern himself
as her husband?
Seeing that Mrs. Gurney was regarding him closely, he hastily rose to his
feet, saying:
"You are right, Mrs. Gurney, as you always are. I should not succeed in
controlling my temper in the future any better than I have done in the
past. I will try to overcome this foolishness. I love Dexie Sherwood too
well to wish to bring one moment of sorrow into her life."
He left the room and sought his own chamber, and during the hour he sat
there in silence he fancied he had buried forever every thought of tender
regard for Dexie Sherwood. He even imagined that he could look with favor
on Lancy, or anyone else, who would make her as happy as she deserved to
be.
His magnanimous feelings were even puffed up to that degree that he was
mentally witnessing her marriage ceremony, with Lancy as chief actor, when
the sound of the dinner-bell recalled him to his senses. Yet, when he sat
down to the table and beheld Lancy's empty seat, he ground his heel into
the rug under the table, as if it were his enemy, for the thought occurred
that Lancy, at this present moment, might be bending over the head so
precious to him, or whispering words in her ears which he never wished her
to hear, unless spoken by himself.
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