And yet, on the other hand, if she had arrived at a real appreciation of Allen's fineness and gentleness and had felt his sweetness and charm, why not?
Dan's common sense told him that quite apart from the young people themselves there were reasons enough against it.

Dan had imagined that Allen was content to play at being in love; that it satisfied the romantic strain in him, just as his idealization of the Great Experiment and its actors expressed and satisfied his patriotic feelings.

The news that he had come to terms of marriage with Marian was in all the circumstances dismaying, and opened many dark prospects.

Allen stood at the window staring across the roofs beyond.

He whirled round as Dan addressed him.
"Have you spoken to Mr.Bassett?
You know that will be the first thing, Allen." "That's exactly what I want you to help me about?
He's at Waupegan now, and of course I've got to see him.