He inquired quietly, and as if honestly interested, about Frank, and said--because he thought it safest as well as most reasonable--that, naturally, they must have been surprised at his marrying a native; but he himself had seen some such marriages turn out very well--in Japan, India, the South Sea Islands, and Canada.

He assumed that Marion's sister-in-law was beautiful, and then disarmed Marion by saying that he thought of going down to Greyhope immediately, to call on General Armour and Mrs.Armour, and wondered if she was going back before the end of the season.
Quick as Marion was, this was said so quietly that she did not quite see the drift of it.

She had intended staying in London to the end of the season, not because she enjoyed it, but because she was determined to face Frank's marriage at every quarter, and have it over, once for all, so far as herself was concerned.

But now, taken slightly aback, she said, almost without thinking, that she would probably go back soon--she was not quite sure; but certainly her father and mother would be glad to see Captain Vidall at any time.
Then, without any apparent relevancy, he asked her if Mrs.Frank Armour still wore her Indian costume.

In any one else the question had seemed impertinent; in him it had a touch of confidence, of the privilege of close friendship.