Things might go as they would at his house, but he had Carrie outside of it.

With his mind's eye he looked into her comfortable room in Ogden Place, where he had spent several such delightful evenings, and thought how charming it would be when Drouet was disposed of entirely and she was waiting evenings in cozy little quarters for him.

That no cause would come up whereby Drouet would be led to inform Carrie concerning his married state, he felt hopeful.
Things were going so smoothly that he believed they would not change.
Shortly now he would persuade Carrie and all would be satisfactory.
The day after their theatre visit he began writing her regularly-a letter every morning, and begging her to do as much for him.

He was not literary by any means, but experience of the world and his growing affection gave him somewhat of a style.

This he exercised at his office desk with perfect deliberation.