rd encounters enough in his day, and had
learned to trust little to chance or good fortune. He did not possess
the boldness which disarms an adverse fate, nor that confidence in his
own powers which smooths down wounded pride, and accounts even for
failure. He was, perhaps it is only right to say, not very capable of
heroism: but he was capable of seeing the lack of the heroic in his
own composition, and of feeling bitterly his own self-reproaches, and
the remarks of the world, which is always so ready to taunt the very
cowardice it creates. After that moment in which he could have dared
anything for her and with her, it is sad to be obliged to admit that
perhaps Dr Edward too, like Nettie, withdrew a little from that climax
of feeling. Not that his heart grew colder or his sentiments changed;
but only that, in sight of the inevitable result, the poor young fellow
paused and pondered, obeying the necessity of his nature. People who
jump at conclusions, if they have to bear the consequences of folly
often enough, are at least spared those preliminary heartaches. Dr
Rider, eager as love and youth could make him, was yet incapable of
shutting his eyes to the precipice at his feet. That he despised himself
for doing so, did not make the matter easier. These were the limits of
his nature, and beyond them he could not pass.

Accordingly matters went on in this dangerous fashion for many weeks
longer. The fire smouldered, strengthening its pent-up flames. Day by
day malicious sprites of thought went out behind Dr Rider in his drag,
leading him into the wildest calculations, the most painful complication
of schemes. If Fred and his family could only be persuaded to return to
Australia, his brother thought--if any bribe within Edward's means could
tempt the ruined man to such a step; and when he was there, why there
was Providence to take care of the helpless unlovely household, and
necessity might compel the wretched father to work for his children.
Such were the vain projects that revolved and fermented through the
doctor's agitated brain as he went among his patients. Luckily he
had a very favourable and well-disposed lot of sick people at that
crisis--they all got well in spite of the doctor, and gave their own
special cases and his anxiety all the credit for his grave looks; and
all these half-finished streets and rough new roads in the east end of
Carlingford were sown thick with the bootless suggestions of Dr Rider's
love