He had ceased to feel displeasure at Mrs.Willoughby's conduct, for since he had studiously refrained from betraying the slightest irritation at Mallinson's visits, those visits had amazingly diminished.
'Did he happen to mention the date of the month and the time of the day ?' was Mrs.Willoughby's comment.
'It sounds cold-blooded?
Hardly, if you knew the man.

He looks on life as a sort of draughtboard.

So many definite moves to be made forward upon definite lines.

Then you're crowned king and can move as you please, backwards if you like, till the end of the game.' 'He will be crowned king in July ?' 'So I imagine.' Meanwhile Drake worked on through March and April, outwardly untroubled, but inwardly asking himself ever: 'Shall I win?
Shall I win ?' The question besieged him.

Patient he could be, none more so, when the end in view was to be gained by present even though gradual endeavour; but this passive waiting was a lid shut down on him, forcing his energies inwards to prey upon himself.