Bennet's heart was full of compassion for the girl and her distress over her disappointment, knowing what depth of feeling must have prompted her to make such a request of him. He returned to his room, a feeling of deep misery enveloping him because of the unavoidable hurt he had given the girl.
Yet what could he do? He tried to discover wherein he had been to blame for placing the girl in such a situation, yet could find no such occasion. True he had known her casually since the previous year when they had met but they had never been in each other's company for more than a few minutes at each time and he had never given her any attention. He felt that he must have been to blame in some way and yet could recall no occasion. He was miserable over the situation, being of high ideals as to his conduct with girls. He puzzled for some time over the situation, as he sat at his desk when he had returned to his room but try as he would to find wherein he was to blame for the situation he could not. His heart was heavy as he retired and for the first time in many weeks closed his eyes without the picture of Lida Lauriston in his mind.
Rage, confusion, humiliation and chagrin surged through Louise Comstock's being as she ran from Bennet and started back for her school. Rage because she had failed to find in him the response she desired; chagrin to think that he loved another girl when she loved him so, confusion at the thought of the position in which she had placed herself, in his estimation and humiliation at the thought that she must attend the reception, if at all, alone having refused all other invitations hoping to be invited by Bennet. Tears of blinding anger flowed down her cheeks unheeded as she hurried along.
Self pity at her disappointment filled her for a time and then anger returned. It was not anger, however, directed against Bennet. They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned but while this may be true Louise found no anger in her heart at this moment against Bennet. Her anger was against the fate that permitted another to have what she sought, a man's heart and love. She reached her room she knew not how, without being observed by any of the other girls and threw herself sobbingly on her bed where she lay for several hours alternately crying softly and groaning in anguish. Bitterness filled her being and for a time she was overwhelmed with desire to die.
She refused to leave her room the following day, remaining all day without food and with the shades drawn, her tears having been exhausted, her anguish having brought upon her a raging headache. When the other girls found she was ill each offered to remain with her and to help in whatever way they could, to relieve her. All their proffers were refused, however.