It was merely a friendly word with an offer to come to him
if he needed her; but it changed the whole current of his thoughts. He
seemed to see the mocking smile of his cousin as she read that he was
staying with the Morisons, and to hear again her words about his period
of temptation. He resolved, however, to put the whole question of the
future out of his mind. Somehow there must be a way to steer safely
between his duty and his inclination. He failed to reflect that he who
decides to compromise between duty and desire has already sacrificed
the former.
Berenice greeted him on his appearance in the library, whither he
descended rather shakily. She held in her hand a telegram when he
entered under the escort of Mehitabel, and her cheeks were flushed.
Instantly into his mind came the feeling that her color was connected
with the message which the yellow paper brought, and he became jealous
in a flash. There was no possible reason why he should scent a rival in
the mere presence in his lady's hand of a telegram, unless there were
an intangible shade of self-consciousness in her manner. He had come
downstairs eager to see her and to assure himself that she was really
no worse for the accident, but the sight of the paper instantly changed
his mood.
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