When left to himself Jasper walked about a little, then sat down
at his writing-table, for he felt easier in mind, and fancied
that he might still do a couple of hours' work before going to
bed. He did in fact write half-a-dozen lines, but with the effort
came back his former mood. Very soon the pen dropped, and he was
once more in the throes of anxious mental debate.
He sat till after midnight, and when he went to his bedroom it
was with a lingering step, which proved him still a prey to
indecision.
PART FOUR
CHAPTER XXIII. A PROPOSED INVESTMENT
Alfred Yule's behaviour under his disappointment seemed to prove
that even for him the uses of adversity could be sweet. On the
day after his return home he displayed a most unwonted mildness
in such remarks as he addressed to his wife, and his bearing
towards Marian was gravely gentle. At meals he conversed, or
rather monologised, on literary topics, with occasionally one of
his grim jokes, pointed for Marian's appreciation. He became
aware that the girl had been overtaxing her strength of late, and
suggested a few weeks of recreation among new novels.
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