ums that his purpose fluctuated between; but then it was
before him as a solid fact, and his desire at once leaped into the
thought (not yet an intention) that if he were quietly to pocket that
ring and walk away he would have the means of comfortable escape from
present restraint, without trouble, and also without danger; for any
property of Deronda's (available without his formal consent) was all
one with his children's property, since their father would never be
prosecuted for taking it. The details of this thinking followed each
other so quickly that they seemed to rise before him as one picture.
Lapidoth had never committed larceny; but larceny is a form of
appropriation for which people are punished by law; and, take this ring
from a virtual relation, who would have been willing to make a much
heavier gift, would not come under the head of larceny. Still, the
heavier gift was to be preferred, if Lapidoth could only make haste
enough in asking for it, and the imaginary action of taking the ring,
which kept repeating itself like an inward tune, sank into a rejected
idea. He satisfied his urgent longing by resolving to go below, and
watch for the moment of Deronda's departure, when he would ask leave to
join him in his walk and boldly carry out his meditated plan. He rose
and stood looking out of the window, but all the while he saw what lay
beyond him--the brief passage he would have to make to the door close
by the table where the ring was. However he was resolved to go down;
but--by no distinct change of resolution, rather by a dominance of
desire, like the thirst of the drunkard--it so happened that in passing
the table his fingers fell noiselessly on the ring, and he found
himself in the passage with the ring in his hand. It followed that he
put on his hat and quitted the house. The possibility of again throwing
himself on his children receded into the indefinite distance, and
before he was out on the square his sense of haste had concentrated
itself on selling the ring and getting on shipboard.

Deronda and Ezra were just aware of his exit; that was all. But,
by-and-by, Mirah came in and made a real interruption. She had not
taken off her hat; and when Deronda rose and advanced to shake hands
with her, she said, in a confusion at once unaccountable and
troublesome to herself--

"I only came in to see that Ezra had his new draught. I must go
directly to Mrs. Meyrick's to fetch something."

"Pray allow me to w