There was a bitterness within as he thought of permanent fixed failure which he could not digest.

There was a craving in his heart which he did not himself quite understand, but which made him think that the world would be unfit to be lived in if he were to be altogether separated from Mary Masters.

He couldn't separate himself from her.

It was all very well thinking of it, talking of it, threatening it; but in truth he couldn't do it.

There might of course be an emergency in which he must do it.