Miss Haldane was an only child, and was possessed of an ample fortune.

Arthur's career at the university had been creditable, but certainly not brilliant enough to present his withdrawal in the light of a disaster.

As Sir Theodore's eldest son, his position was already made for him.

He was two-and-twenty years of age; and the young lady was eighteen.

There was really no producible reason for keeping the lovers waiting, and no excuse for deferring the wedding-day beyond the first week in September.