And too late, for the woman would never yield.
But whether woman yielded or not, he would keep the mastery of his own soul and conscience and actions.

He would never yield himself up to her judgment again.

He would hold himself forever beyond her jurisdiction.
Henceforth, life single, not life double.
He looked at the sky, and thanked the universe for the blessedness of being alone in the universe.

To be alone, to be oneself, not to be driven or violated into something which is not oneself, surely it is better than anything.

He thought of Lottie, and knew how much more truly herself she was when she was alone, with no man to distort her.