How infinitely better it would be that he should have an heir of his own! How wonderfully beautiful would the world be to him if at last his cousin would consent to be his wife! How wearily insipid must it be if no such consent could be obtained from her! And then he thought much of her welfare too.

In very truth he did not like Lady Carbury.

He saw through her character, judging her with almost absolute accuracy.

The woman was affectionate, seeking good things for others rather than for herself; but she was essentially worldly, believing that good could come out of evil, that falsehood might in certain conditions be better than truth, that shams and pretences might do the work of true service, that a strong house might be built upon the sand! It was lamentable to him that the girl he loved should be subjected to this teaching, and live in an atmosphere so burdened with falsehood.

Would not the touch of pitch at last defile her?
In his heart of hearts he believed that she loved Paul Montague; and of Paul himself he was beginning to fear evil.