I wonder why ?" He laughed aloud, for the first time since Bubbles' accident.

He knew that what Blanche said was true, and it was a very pleasant, reassuring bit of knowledge.
"Old Burnaby would not think of allowing her to marry a penniless baronet," he said smiling.
Blanche looked across at him quickly.

"Good and obedient as she is to both those old things, I don't think they'd be able to influence Helen Brabazon in such a thing as marriage." "Well, you may be right," said Varick, doubtfully.
He felt strongly tempted to take Blanche into his confidence; to tell her, frankly, that he wished to marry Helen.

Yet some obscure instinct held him back.

Women, even the most sensible women, are so damned sentimental! So he told himself.