By her aid he might have procured mor money wherewith to amuse Bess and to forget Maisie, as well as another taste of an almost forgotten success.

Now, thanks to a vicious little housemaid's folly, there was nothing to look for--not even the hope that he might some day take an abiding interest in the housemaid.

Worst of all, he had been made to appear ridiculous in Maisie's eyes.

A woman will forgive the man who has ruined her life's work so long as he gives her love; a man may forgive those who ruin the love of his life, but he will never forgive the destruction of his work.
'Tck--tck--tck,' said Dick between his teeth, and then laughed softly.
'It's an omen, Bessie, and--a good many things considered, it serves me right for doing what I have done.

By Jove! that accounts for Maisie's running away.