It was as natural to men like Charles to be always interested in some one, as it would be unnatural in others ever to be so, except as the result of long forethought, and with a wedding-ring and a set of bridesmaids well in view.

But to attach any importance to the fact that Charles liked to talk to her would have been absurd.

With another man it might have meant much; but she had heard of Charles and his misdoings long before she had met him, and knew what to expect.

Lord Breakwater's sister had confided to her many things respecting him, and had wept bitter tears on her shoulder, when he suddenly went off to shoot grizzlies in the Rocky Mountains.
"He has not sufficient vanity to know that he is exceedingly popular," said Ruth to herself.

"I should think there are few men, handicapped as he is, who have been liked more entirely for themselves, and less for their belongings; but all the time he probably imagines people admire his name, or his place, or his income, and not himself, and consequently he does not care much what he says or does.