How was it possible that he should not regret, that he should not look back upon Stratton with something akin to sorrow?
Julia had been his first love, and to her he could have been always true.

I fear he thought of this now.

I fear that it was a grief to him that he could not place himself close at her side, bid her do as she had planned, and then come to him, and share all his crusts.

Had it been open to him to play that part, he would have played it well, and would have gloried in the thoughts of her poverty.

The position would have suited him exactly.