He increased his vigilance after receiving word that Taggart had not been badly injured.

More, he rarely allowed Betty to get out of his sight, for he was determined to defeat the plan to rob him.
However, the days passed and Taggart did not put in an appearance.
Time removes the sting from many hurts and even jealousy's pangs are assuaged by the flight of days.

And so after a while Calumet's vigilance relaxed, and he began to think that he had scared Taggart away.

He noted with satisfaction that Betty seemed to treat him less coldly, and he felt a pulse of delight over the thought that perhaps she had repented and had really tried to hit Taggart that morning.
Once he seized upon this idea he could not dispel it.

More, it grew on him, became a foundation upon which he built a structure of defense for Betty.