"So that you wouldn't consider even Mitchy now ?" But his friend took no notice of the question.

"The way Mr.Longdon distinguishes her is quite the sort of thing that gives a girl, as Harold says, a 'leg up.' It's awfully curious and has made me think: he isn't anything whatever, as London estimates go, in himself--so that what is it, pray, that makes him, when 'added on' to her, so double Nanda's value?
I somehow or other see, through his being known to back her and through the pretty story of his loyalty to mamma and all the rest of it (oh if one chose to WORK that!) ever so much more of a chance for her." Vanderbank's eyes were on the ceiling.

"It IS curious, isn't it ?--though I think he's rather more 'in himself,' even for the London estimate, than you quite understand." He appeared to give her time to take this up, but as she said nothing he pursued: "I dare say that if even I now WERE to enter myself it would strike you as too late." Her attention to this was but indirect.

"It's awfully vulgar to be talking about it, but I can't help feeling that something possibly rather big will come of Mr.Longdon." "Ah we've touched on that before," said Vanderbank, "and you know you did think something might come even for me." She continued however, as if she scarce heard him, to work out her own vision.

"It's very true that up to now--" "Well, up to now ?" he asked as she faltered.
She faltered still a little.