And then he thought for awhile before speaking.
"Well," he said at last, "there's probably this in it--the Folliots are very wealthy people.

Mrs.Folliot, it's pretty well known, wants her son to marry Miss Bewery--Dr.Ransford's ward.

Probably she doesn't wish any suspicion to hang over the family.

That's all I can suggest.

In the other case, Ransford wants to clear himself.