He liked her uncle; what more natural than that he should like that gallant soldier, whom Marian adored as the first of mankind?
And it was out of his liking for the Captain that he came so often.
The Captain, however, had not been slow to discover the real state of affairs, and the discovery had given him unqualified satisfaction.

For a long time his quiet contentment in this pleasant, simple, easy-going life had been clouded by anxious thoughts about Marian's future.

His death--should that event happen before she married--must needs leave her utterly destitute.

The little property from which his income was derived was not within his power to bequeath.

It would pass, upon his death, to one of his nephews.