Page 560 - of-human-bondage-

LXXI

hilip, in return for Griffiths’ confidences, had told him
Pthe details of his own complicated amours, and on Sun-
day morning, after breakfast when they sat by the fire in
their dressing-gowns and smoked, he recounted the scene
of the previous day. Griffiths congratulated him because he
had got out of his difficulties so easily.
‘It’s the simplest thing in the world to have an affair with
a woman, he remarked sententiously, ‘but it’s a devil of a
nuisance to get out of it.’
Philip felt a little inclined to pat himself on the back for
his skill in managing the business. At all events he was im-
mensely relieved. He thought of Mildred enjoying herself
in Tulse Hill, and he found in himself a real satisfaction be-
cause she was happy. It was an act of self-sacrifice on his
part that he did not grudge her pleasure even though paid
for by his own disappointment, and it filled his heart with
a comfortable glow.
But on Monday morning he found on his table a letter
from Norah. She wrote:
Dearest,
I’m sorry I was cross on Saturday. Forgive me and come
to tea in the afternoon as usual. I love you.
Your Norah.
His heart sank, and he did not know what to do. He took