Was this little simpleton going to play with him?
There were solid reasons of more than one kind why the marriage should not be long delayed.

It would be best if he returned to London and communicated with her by letter.

He could write eloquently, and to let her think of him as in the midst of gay society might not be amiss.
Shortly after Quarrier's arrival at Polterham, he was back again.

Daily he had repented his engagement, yet as often had congratulated himself on the windfall thus assured to him.

Before going to the Mumbrays, he called upon Mrs.Quarrier, whom, as it chanced, he found alone.