And her remark, "I do feel so sorry for you all these years," had--well, somewhat changed his whole outlook on life.

Yes, he wanted to see her in order to satisfy himself that he had her respect.

A woman impossible socially, a woman with strange habits and tricks of manner (no doubt there were millions such); but a woman whose respect one would not forfeit without a struggle! He had been pushed to an extremity, forced to act with swiftness, upon losing her.

And he had done the thing that comes most naturally to a life-long traveller.

He had driven to the best hotel in the town.