When he had first become assured that the new Polyeuka Company had failed, he should have made an offer, even though Euphemia Smith had then commenced her threats.

With skill, might he not have done it on this very day?
Might he not have made the man understand that if he would base his claim simply on his losses, and make it openly on that ground, then his claim should be considered?
But now it was too late, and the thunderbolt had fallen.
What must he do first?
Robert Bolton had promised to tell him on the morrow whether he would act for him as his lawyer.

He felt sure now that his brother-in-law would not do so; but it would be necessary that he should have an answer, and that necessity would give him an excuse for going into Cambridge and showing himself among the Boltons.

Let his sufferings or his fears be what they might, he would never confess to the world that he suffered or that he was frightened, by shutting himself up.

He would be seen about Cambridge, walking openly, as though no reports, no rumours, had been spread about concerning him.