The death of Mildred Brown affected Dorian Trent most profoundly.

Not that he displayed any marked outward signs of his feelings, but his very soul was moved to its depths, sometimes as of despair, sometimes as of resentment.

Why, he asked himself, should God send--he put it this way--send to him this beautiful creature who filled his heart so completely, why hold her out to him as if inviting him to take her, and then suddenly snatch her away out of his life--out of the life of the world! For many days Dorian went about as if in a pained stupor.

His mother, knowing her boy, tried in a wise way to comfort him; but it was not altogether a success.

His studies were neglected, and he had thoughts of quitting school altogether; but he did not do this.