for the most part supports
him. I don't quite approve of that. She isn't well off, and he ought to have
been making a living by now. He has a kind of cleverness, may do something; but
there's no being sure of that.«
    These thoughts were not coming into his mind for the first time. On the
occasion when he met Milvain and Marian together in the country road he had
necessarily reflected upon the possibilities of such intercourse, and with the
issue that he did not care to give any particular encouragement to its
continuance. He of course heard of Milvain's leave-taking call, and he purposely
refrained from seeing the young man after that. The matter took no very clear
shape in his meditations; he saw no likelihood that either of the young people
would think much of the other after their parting, and time enough to trouble
one's head with such subjects when they could no longer be postponed. It would
not have been pleasant to him to foresee a life of spinsterhood for his
daughter; but she was young, and - she was a valuable assistant.
    How far did that latter consideration weigh with him? He put the question
pretty distinctly to himself now that his wife had broached the matter thus
unexpectedly. Was he prepared to behave with deliberate selfishness? Never yet
had any conflict been manifested between his interests and Marian's; practically
he was in the habit of counting upon her aid for an indefinite period.
    If indeed he became editor of The Study, why, in that case her assistance
would be less needful. And indeed it seemed probable that young Milvain had a
future before him.
    »But, in any case,« he said aloud, partly continuing his thoughts, partly
replying to a look of disappointment on his wife's face, »how do you know that
he has any wish to come and see Marian?«
    »I don't know anything about it, of course.«
    »And you may have made a mistake about her. What made you think she - had
him in mind?«
    »Well, it was her way of speaking, you know. And then, she asked if you had
got a dislike to him.«
    »She did? H'm! Well, I don't think Milvain is any good to Marian. He's just
the kind of man to make himself agreeable to a girl for the fun of the thing.«
    Mrs Yule looked alarmed.
    »Oh, if you really think that, don't let