I, as you know, am not altogether a man of formulas, but I am not sure that my behaviour would greatly differ from hers in her position; I mean as regards yourself.' 'Yes, yes; I admit the reasonableness of it,' said Hubert more calmly, 'granted that you have to deal with children.

But Adela is too old to have no will or understanding.

It may be she has both.

After all she would scarcely allow herself to be forced into a detestable marriage.
Very likely she takes her mother's practical views.' 'There is such a thing as blank indifference in a young girl who has suffered disappointment.' 'I could do nothing,' exclaimed Hubert.

'That she thinks of me at all, or has ever seriously done so, is the merest supposition.