"My daughter is out.
However, she--I ought more properly to say, they--will be back no doubt before long." "They being--" "Sylvia and Walter Hine." Chayne nodded his head.

He had known very well who "they" must be, but he had not been able to refrain from the question.

Jealousy had hold of him.
He knew nothing of Sylvia's determination to acquire a power greater than her father's over the vain and defenceless youth.

The words with which she had hinted her plan to him had been too obscure to convey their meaning.

He was simply aware that Sylvia more and more avoided him, more and more sought the companionship of Walter Hine; and such experience as he had, taught him that women were as apt to be blind in their judgment of men as men in their estimation of women.
He sought now to enlist Garratt Skinner on his side, and drawing a chair nearer to the hammock he sat down.
"Mr.Skinner," he said, speaking upon an impulse, "you have no doubt in your mind, I suppose, as to why I come here so often." Garratt Skinner smiled.
"I make a guess, I admit." "I should be very glad if your daughter would marry me," Chayne continued, "and I want you to give me your help.