She would not flirt with anybody who was, so to speak, not worth powder and shot.
Festing did not know how Miss Keller rated his value, but he was satisfied to remain a bachelor, and had perhaps allowed her to understand this, because she had since treated him with cold politeness.
Now it looked as if she had thrown Bob some favor, which was ominous, because Sadie had generally an object.

Of course, if Bob were free and content to marry a girl from the settlement, Sadie would not be a bad choice.

She certainly had some virtues.

But Bob was not free, and it was unthinkable that a man who had won the love of the girl whose portrait Festing knew should be satisfied with another of Sadie's type.
Then Festing pulled himself up.

He could not warn Bob to be cautious, or interfere with the girl's plans, supposing that she had made some.
Besides, it was Charnock's affair, not his.