What he recognised was that, though she had not seen Sir Nigel since her childhood, she had in some astonishing way obtained an extraordinary insight into his character, and it was this which had led her to take her present step.

She might not realise all she might have to contend with, but her conservative and formal action had surrounded her and her sister with a certain barrier of conventional protection, at once self-controlled, dignified, and astutely intelligent.
"Since, as you say, no structural changes are proposed, such as an owner might resent, and as Lady Anstruthers is the mother of the heir, and as Lady Anstruthers' father undertakes to defray all expenditure, no sane man could object to the restoration of the property.

To do so would be to cause public opinion to express itself strongly against him.

Such action would place him grossly in the wrong." Then he added with deliberation, realising that he was committing himself, and feeling firmly willing to do so for reasons of his own, "Sir Nigel is a man who objects strongly to putting himself--publicly--in the wrong." "Thank you," said Miss Vanderpoel.
He had said this of intention for her enlightenment, and she was aware that he had done so.
"This will not be the first time that American fortunes have restored English estates," Mr.Townlinson continued amiably.

"There have been many notable cases of late years.