How he proposed to do this, how he proposed to come out
triumphant in face of such a situation, was a matter that as
yet was shapeless in his mind; nevertheless, the danger--the
sense of impending conflict--had a savor of life after the
inaction of the day and night just passed. Chilcote in his
weakness and his entanglement had turned to him; and he in his
strength and capacity had responded to the appeal.
His step was firm and his bearing assured as he turned into
Grosvenor Square and walked towards the familiar house.
The habit of self-deceit is as insidious and tenacious as any
vice. For one moment on the night of his great speech, as he
leaned out of Chilcote's carriage and met Chilcote's eyes,
Loder had seen himself--and under the shock of revelation had
taken decisive action. But in the hours subsequent to that
action the plausible, inner voice had whispered unceasingly,
soothing his wounded self-esteem, rebuilding stone by stone
the temple of his egotism; until at last when Chilcote,
panic-stricken at his own action, had burst into his rooms
ready to plead or to coerce, he had found no need for either
coercion or entreaty.
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