Once or twice, it is true, qualms of doubt did cross his mind in the earlier days of their intimacy.

But he put them by as absurd.

He was no believer in the tender helplessness of full-grown women, his experience having been that they are amply capable--and, for the most part, more than capable--of looking after themselves.

It seemed to him a thing ridiculous that such a person as Beatrice, who was competent to form opinions and a judgment upon all the important questions of life, should be treated as a child, and that he should remove himself from Bryngelly lest her young affections should become entangled.

He felt sure that they would never be entrapped in any direction whatsoever without her full consent.
Then he ceased to think about the matter at all.