Seven hundred a year had been an excellent income for the wife of a struggling playwright to enjoy.

It had promised him the full social life in which his genius would most rapidly develop.

He had regarded that income with great pleasure.

Ever since Lord Loudwater had bidden him inform Helena of his intention of halving her allowance he had been bitterly angered by this barefaced attempt to rob her and consequently her future husband.

In the light of her story the attempt had grown yet more disgraceful, and he resented it yet more bitterly.
The further danger that Lord Loudwater might attempt to stop her income altogether if she married, though he perceived that it was a real, even imminent danger, did not greatly trouble him.