To go there meant only a renewal of torment. This was
in fact the commonplace period of his life. He had no energy above
that of the ordinary young man who is making his living in a
commonplace way, and his higher faculties lay dormant.
In one respect, and that, after all, perhaps the most important, his
position would soon be changed. Mr. Woodstock's will, when affairs
were settled, would make him richer by one thousand pounds; he
might, if he chose, presently give up his employment, and either
trust to literature, or look out for something less precarious. A
year ago, this state of things would have filed him with exultation.
As it was, he only saw in it an accident compelling him to a certain
fateful duty. There was now no reason why his marriage should be
long delayed. For Maud's sake the step was clearly desirable. At
present she and her mother were living with Miss Bygrave in the
weird old house. Of Paul there had come no tidings. Their home was
of course broken up, and they had no income of their own to depend
upon. Maud herself, though of course aware of Waymark's prospects,
seemed to shrink from speaking of the future. She grew more and more
uncertain as to her real thoughts and desires.
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