It did not follow that if he could not marry Mrs.Goddard he must needs marry some one else; for it was not a wife that he sought, but the companionship of this particular woman as his wife.

If he could not marry he could still enjoy at least a portion of that companionship, by visiting her daily and talking with her, and making himself a part of her life.

He judged things very coldly and lost himself in no lofty flights of imagination.

It was better that he should enjoy what fell in his way in at least seeing Mrs.Goddard and possessing her friendship, than that he should go out of his course in order to marry merely for the sake of marrying.

He had seen so much of the active side of life that he was well prepared to revel in the peace which had fallen to his lot.