The villain would let that case come on; the would-be villain did so in his own ready fancy, and the end of it was a world without Steel but not without his wife; only, she would be Steel's wife no more.
And this brought Langholm to his senses.

"Idiot!" he said, and went out to his wet paths and ruined roses.

But the ugly impossible idea dogged him even there.
"If Steel had been guilty--but he isn't, I tell you--no, but if he had been, just for argument, would she ever have looked--hush!--idiot and egotist!--No, but _would_ she?
And could you have made her happy if she had ?--Ah, that's another thing ...

I wonder!--It is worth wondering about; you know you have failed before.

Yes, yes, yes; do you think I forget it?
No, but I must remind you.