Thus he debated and debated within himself, endeavouring to find reasons why he should go to Lahnburg, while all the time, deep in his heart there was the full consciousness that he ought on no consideration to go near the place, that to do it would be an insult to Sara and to his own wife, and could bring nothing but misery to himself. The meeting had been held at Frankfort in the forenoon, and was over by two o’clock. Jerome, when it was over, went into the hall of his hotel, and looking round, found what he had come for, though he had not even in his own mind confessed so much–a railway time-table fixed against the wall. He studied it, and saw that there were many trains on the Lahnburg line; one at five o’clock from Frankfort, arriving at Lahnburg at six. Three hours were before him in which to decide, and he said within himself: ‘I will have some lunch, and think about it, but I don’t think I shall go.’ Yet, when he had ordered some lunch and sat in the coffee-room waiting for it, he caught himself thinking what a long time it would be before the time came to set out for the station. Should he go, or should he not? He ate and drank something, and strolled out of the hotel into the town, and passed by the people who wanted to show him the sights, and he thought he was trying to decide not to go. He repeated to himself all the arguments against going, and they were numerous and cogent. Then he caught himself wishing ardently that he had something to keep him in Frankfort–some engagement that would prevent his leaving the town that evening. Then he went back to the hotel and compared the clock there with his watch. A quarter before five. The station was close at hand–must he go, or must he stay? A man came up to him–one of the merchants who had been present at the meeting, and with whom he had a slight acquaintance, and said politely: ‘Mr. Wellfield, if you are staying in the town, and have no other engagement to-night, will you do me the honour of dining at my house? we are having some friends, and I should be delighted to introduce you to my wife and daughters.’ ‘Thank you,’ replied Wellfield, after a scarcely perceptible pause; ‘you are very kind, and I should have been delighted, but I have an engagement out of town, and must go to the station now, if I am to catch my train.’ The die was cast, and he went quickly out of the hotel, and down the street to the station. Ten minutes later, he was in the train, on his way to Lahnburg.