e was induced by the presence of some
Russian acquaintances to linger at Baden-Baden and make various
appointments with them, which, however, his desire to be at Leubronn
ultimately caused him to break. Grandcourt's passions were of the
intermittent, flickering kind: never flaming out strongly. But a great
deal of life goes on without strong passion: myriads of cravats are
carefully tied, dinners attended, even speeches made proposing the
health of august personages without the zest arising from a strong
desire. And a man may make a good appearance in high social
positions--may be supposed to know the classics, to have his reserves
on science, a strong though repressed opinion on politics, and all the
sentiments of the English gentleman, at a small expense of vital
energy. Also, he may be obstinate or persistent at the same low rate,
and may even show sudden impulses which have a false air of daemonic
strength because they seem inexplicable, though perhaps their secret
lies merely in the want of regulated channels for the soul to move
in--good and sufficient ducts of habit without which our nature easily
turns to mere ooze and mud, and at any pressure yields nothing but a
spurt or a puddle.

Grandcourt had not been altogether displeased by Gwendolen's running
away from the splendid chance he was holding out to her. The act had
some piquancy for him. He liked to think that it was due to resentment
of his careless behavior in Cardell Chase, which, when he came to
consider it, did appear rather cool. To have brought her so near a
tender admission, and then to have walked headlong away from further
opportunities of winning the consent which he had made her understand
him to be asking for, was enough to provoke a girl of spirit; and to be
worth his mastering it was proper that she should have some spirit.
Doubtless she meant him to follow her, and it was what he meant too.
But for a whole week he took no measures toward starting, and did not
even inquire where Miss Harleth was gone. Mr. Lush felt a triumph that
was mingled with much distrust; for Grandcourt had said no word to him
about her, and looked as neutral as an alligator; there was no telling
what might turn up in the slowly-churning chances of his mind. Still,
to have put off a decision was to have made room for the waste of
Grandcourt's energy.

The guests at Diplow felt more curiosity than their host. How was it
that nothing more was heard of Miss Harleth? Was i