The fact is, this girl, Thyrza Trent, is at present in my care.' She gave a succinct account of the recent events, and explained them as far as her information allowed.

The all-important point still remained obscure, but she showed her reasons for believing that something had passed between Egremont and Thyrza which could lead to but one result if they met again, now that the old objections were at an end.
'My desire is,' she pursued, 'to prevent that meeting.

I have racked my brains over the matter, with no better result than Mrs.Grundy would at once have arrived at by noble intuition.

It would be a grave mistake for Walter to marry this girl.' 'On general grounds, or from your special knowledge of her character ?' 'Both.

A third reason is--that I have long ago made up my mind whom he is to marry.' 'Yes,' said Mr.Newthorpe, gravely, the worry he no longer cared to conceal making him look old and feeble, 'yes, but that project has hardly become more hopeful during the last few weeks.' 'We have to think of a lifetime.