But come now, isn't there any way in which I could help ?' Mary laughed.
'None whatever, I'm afraid.' 'Well,--"They also serve who only stand and wait."' If Everard had pleased himself he would have visited the house in Queen's Road every other day.

As this might not be, he spent a good deal of his time in other society, not caring to read much, or otherwise occupy his solitude.

Starting with one or two acquaintances in London, people of means and position, he easily extended his social sphere.

Had he cared to marry, he might, notwithstanding his poverty, have wooed with fair chance in a certain wealthy family, where two daughters, the sole children, plain but well-instructed girls, waited for the men of brains who should appreciate them.

So rare in society, these men of brains, and, alas! so frequently deserted by their wisdom when it comes to choosing a wife.