The inference was not one that could be missed by the meanest capacity.
He took up the newspaper with a sigh, and settled himself in front of the blazing fire, which was still young and leaping, with the enthusiasm of dry sticks not quite gone out of it.
Charles heard Dare go down just as he finished dressing, for he too was early that morning.

There was more than half an hour before breakfast-time.

He considered a moment, and then went down-stairs.

Some resolutions once made cannot be carried out too quickly.
As he passed through the hall he looked out.

The mist of the night before had sought out every twig and leaflet, and had silvered it to meet the sun.