The inconsiderate act of a silly, thoughtless girl had spoiled the carefully laid plans of a lifetime.

The only consolation which remained was that the calamity might have been still more serious.

This timely warning had saved his family from perhaps an even greater scandal.
He passed the letter in silence to Ryder, Sr.
The financier was a man of few words when the situation called for prompt action.

After he had read the letter through, there was an ominous silence.

Then he rang a bell.