His own temper had to be reckoned with.

But to lose him at the outset by a silly falsehood would be galling.

A man who has to live in the world as a married man must not begin by making a mystery of his wife.

He felt the social stupidity of what he had done, yet could not find in himself the courage to set it right.
Well, well, let him only make a hit in the Academy, sell his picture, and get some commissions.

Then Phoebe should appear, and smile down astonishment.