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she had a headache and could not dine with him. Philip
had almost expected it. He knew that she was dining with
Griffiths. He was horribly jealous, but the sudden passion
which had seized the pair of them seemed like something
that had come from the outside, as though a god had vis-
ited them with it, and he felt himself helpless. It seemed so
natural that they should love one another. He saw all the
advantages that Griffiths had over himself and confessed
that in Mildred’s place he would have done as Mildred did.
What hurt him most was Griffiths’ treachery; they had been
such good friends, and Griffiths knew how passionately de-
voted he was to Mildred: he might have spared him.
He did not see Mildred again till Friday; he was sick for a
sight of her by then; but when she came and he realised that
he had gone out of her thoughts entirely, for they were en-
grossed in Griffiths, he suddenly hated her. He saw now why
she and Griffiths loved one another, Griffiths was stupid, oh
so stupid! he had known that all along, but had shut his eyes
to it, stupid and empty-headed: that charm of his concealed
an utter selfishness; he was willing to sacrifice anyone to
his appetites. And how inane was the life he led, lounging
about bars and drinking in music halls, wandering from
one light amour to another! He never read a book, he was
blind to everything that was not frivolous and vulgar; he
had never a thought that was fine: the word most common
on his lips was smart; that was his highest praise for man or
woman. Smart! It was no wonder he pleased Mildred. They
suited one another.
Philip talked to Mildred of things that mattered to nei-

10 Of Human Bondage