As he was hesitating for his first word, his eyes rested on the front bench of his audience, and he saw Helen Brabazon's eager, guileless face, upturned to his, full of interest and sympathy.
He also felt himself in touch with the others there.

Blanche, looking her own intelligent, dignified, pleasant self, was a goodly sight.

Sir Lyon Dilsford, too, was in the picture; but Varick felt a sudden pang of sympathy for the landless baronet.

Sir Lyon would have made such a good, conscientious squire; he was the kind of man who would have helped the boys to get on in the world--the girls, if need be, to make happy marriages.

James Tapster looked rather out of it all; he looked his apathetic, sulky self--a man whom nothing would ever galvanize into real good-fellowship.