On the third day, the cause of the coolness, whatever it was, appears to have been removed, and he returned to his lodgings on shore.

Some of the more inquisitive among the townspeople observed soon afterward, when they met him in the street, that he looked rather anxious and uneasy.

The conclusion had probably forced itself upon his mind, by this time, that he must decide on pursuing one of two courses: either he must resolve to make the sacrifice of leaving the girl altogether, or he must commit the villainy of marrying her.
Scoundrel as he was, he hesitated at encountering the risk--perhaps, also, at being guilty of the crime--involved in this last alternative.
While he was still in doubt, the father's coasting vessel sailed into the harbor, and the father's presence on the scene decided him at last.
How this new influence acted it was impossible to find out from the imperfect evidence of persons who were not admitted to the family councils.

The fact, however, was certain that the date of the father's return and the date of Mr.James Smith's first wicked resolution to marry the girl might both be fixed, as nearly as possible, at one and the same time.
Having once made up his mind to the commission of the crime, he proceeded with all possible coolness and cunning to provide against the chances of detection.
Returning on board his yacht he announced that he had given up his intention of cruising to Sweden and that he intended to amuse himself by a long fishing tour in Scotland.

After this explanation, he ordered the vessel to be laid up in the harbor, gave the sailing-master leave of absence to return to his family at Cowes, and paid off the whole of the crew from the mate to the cabin-boy.