Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/328

 Sheilah was satisfied. But it was a warning. She burned the letters that night. They were better out of existence.

It was not until after Roger's futile trip to Terry that he became convinced that Sheilah was lost to him forever. He was surprised at the way it took hold of him. While she was gradually recovering from the effects of their relationship, acquiring peace and happiness in her retreat, he was possessed by a gnawing hunger that seemed to increase. He became restless and ill at ease, dreaded long quiet evenings alone, idle week-ends, unoccupied hours following meals, or any task just finished. Books even palled upon him, and he found it difficult to concentrate on the long conversations of his men friends at his club.

He worked hard and feverishly each day at his office, as early and late as possible, and then found himself desiring some form of entertainment in the evening that would engross him until he was so tired he could lose himself in sleep. It had been a comfort to write to Sheilah when she first went away, even though she didn't reply, but now she had robbed him of even that. She might as well be dead as far as he was concerned. In fact, their separation seemed to him sometimes worse than as if she