Well, she was worth studying; she had ideas, and could give ear to ideas.

Furthermore, a couple of the members of his family inclined to do her injustice.

At least, they judged her harshly, owing, he thought, to an inveterate opinion they held regarding Lord Dannisburgh's obliquity in relation to women.

He shared it, and did not concur in, their verdict upon the woman implicated.

That is to say, knowing something of her now, he could see the possibility of her innocence in the special charm that her mere sparkle of features and speech, and her freshness would have for a man like his uncle.