[There was, really, no way that these actions could ever be excused.
It was a thought that plagued every step he took, but he did take those steps. He pulled on his coat, righted his queue, and set off for the docks.
He tried, more for his own mind than anything else, to imagine how he might explain this situation to, say, Maria or Mrs Mason. There was no way that did not make him sound like a rake. Meeting a young girl by the docks, alone at such an hour. Yet he took every step faster than the one before it.
When he finally reached the docks, he looked around, looking for her. He knows he might have beaten her here. If he has, he will wait. For as long as it takes.]
[action]
It was a thought that plagued every step he took, but he did take those steps. He pulled on his coat, righted his queue, and set off for the docks.
He tried, more for his own mind than anything else, to imagine how he might explain this situation to, say, Maria or Mrs Mason. There was no way that did not make him sound like a rake. Meeting a young girl by the docks, alone at such an hour. Yet he took every step faster than the one before it.
When he finally reached the docks, he looked around, looking for her. He knows he might have beaten her here. If he has, he will wait. For as long as it takes.]