He was listening with more show of interest.
"Well," pursued Quarrier, after puffing vainly at his extinguished pipe, "there was reason for wondering.

Before I took the plunge, I had a confidential talk with Mrs.Becket, who as good as assured me that I had only to speak; in fact, she was rather angry with me for disturbing her family arrangements.

Miss Allen, I learnt from her, was an uncommonly good girl--everything I imagined her.

Mrs.Becket didn't know her family, but she had engaged her on the strength of excellent testimonials, which didn't seem exaggerated.

Yet after that I was floored--told that the thing couldn't be.