The unpleasant character of this particular emprise made its eventual accomplishment in some ways the greater matter for congratulation in my eyes.

At least I had done my part.

I had come to hate it, but the thing was done, and it had been a fairly difficult thing to do.

It was impossible not to plume oneself a little on the whole, but the feeling was a superficial one, with deeper and uneasier feelings underneath.

Still, I had practically redeemed my impulsive promise to Catherine Evers; her son and this woman once parted, it should be easy to keep them apart, and my knowledge of the woman forbade me to deny the fullest significance to her departure.