Whether he wanted to marry the girl or not, he certainly did not
wish, at this stage of the game, to make it impossible. The wise
plan was to leave the situation open in every direction, so that
he could freely advance or freely retreat as unfolding events
might dictate. So he turned in the direction of the Severence
house, walked at his usual tearing pace, arrived there somewhat
wilted of collar and exceedingly dusty of shoe and trouser-leg.
Greater physical contrast could hardly have been than that between
him and Margaret, descending to him in the cool garden where he
was mopping himself and dusting his shoes, all with the same
handkerchief. She was in a graceful walking costume of pale blue,
scrupulously neat, perfect to the smallest detail. As she advanced
she observed him with eyes that nothing escaped; and being in one
of her exquisite moods, when the senses are equally quick to
welcome the agreeable or to shrink from the disagreeable, she had
a sense of physical repugnance. He saw her the instant she came
out of the house. Her dress, its harmony with her delicateness of
feature and coloring, the gliding motion of her form combined to
throw him instantly into a state of intoxication.
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