The Byasses had learnt, or had been put in the way of surmising, that Michael Snowdon was wealthy; instantly they passed to the reflection that in marrying Jane their old acquaintance would be doing an excellent stroke of business.

They were coarse-minded, and Bessie could even venture to jest with him on this detestable view of his projects.

But was it not very likely that they derived their information from Joseph Snowdon?
And if so, was it not all but certain that Joseph had suggested to them this way of regarding Sidney himself?
So when Jane's face appeared at the door he held himself in stubborn disregard of her.

A thing impossible to him, he would have said a few minutes ago.

He revenged himself upon Jane.