And in the meantime he, Sidney, must submit to be slandered by that fellow who had his own ends to gain.
To marry Jane, and, at the old man's death, resign every farthing of the money to her trustees, for charitable uses ?--But the old pang of conscience; the life-long wound to Jane's tender heart.
A day of headache and incapacity, during which it was all he could do to attend to his mechanical work, and again the miserable loneliness of his attic.

It rained, it rained.

He had half a mind to seek refuge at some theatre, but the energy to walk so far was lacking.

And whilst he stood stupidly abstracted there came a knock at his door.
'I thought I'd just see if you'd got straight,' said Joseph Snowdon, entering with his genial smile.
Sidney made no reply, but turned as if to stir the fire.

Hands in pockets, Joseph sauntered to a seat.
'Think you'll be comfortable here ?' he went on.