" His face was set in the stoniest calmness, but
the features were haggard and drawn, and fresh lines and furrows were
there deeper than should have been engraved by half a score of years. A
violent, passionate nature does not lightly resign the one object of
its aims and desires. Larches and firs will bear moving cautiously, for
they are well-regulated plants, and natives of a frigid zone; but
transplanting rarely succeeds in the tropics.
Harry Molyneux came to his friend's apartments early on the following
day, in a very uncomfortable and perplexed frame of mind. In the first
place, he was sensible of that depression of spirits which is always the
portion of those who are left behind when any social circle is broken up
by the removal of its principal elements. There is no such nuisance as
having to stay and put the lights out. Besides this, he was quite
uncertain in what temper Royston would be found; and apprehended some
desperate outbreak from the latter, which would bring things, already
sufficiently complicated, into a more perilous coil.
Keene's first abrupt words in part reassured him.
"Well, it is all over; and I am going straight back to England.
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