The unutterable melancholy of the whole scene, as he waited on,
silent and alone, did not altogether clash with the mood of
Knight, even though he was the affianced of a fair and winning
girl, and though so lately he had been in her company. Whilst
sitting on the remains of the demolished tower he had defined a
new sensation; that the lengthened course of inaction he had
lately been indulging in on Elfride's account might probably not
be good for him as a man who had work to do. It could quickly be
put an end to by hastening on his marriage with her.
Knight, in his own opinion, was one who had missed his mark by
excessive aiming. Having now, to a great extent, given up ideal
ambitions, he wished earnestly to direct his powers into a more
practical channel, and thus correct the introspective tendencies
which had never brought himself much happiness, or done his
fellow-creatures any great good. To make a start in this new
direction by marriage, which, since knowing Elfride, had been so
entrancing an idea, was less exquisite to-night. That the
curtailment of his illusion regarding her had something to do with
the reaction, and with the return of his old sentiments on wasting
time, is more than probable. Though Knight's heart had so greatly
mastered him, the mastery was not so complete as to be easily
maintained in the face of a moderate intellectual revival.
His reverie was broken by the sound of wheels, and a horse's
tramp.
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