He felt he had been altogether a fool in his estimate of the serious necessities of life hitherto.

Woman was now one of them--and this woman supremely so.

Why, if she could be freed from bonds, should she not become his wife?
But he felt it might be wiser not to be too precipitate about suggesting the thing to her.

She had certainly given him no indication that she would receive the idea favorably, and appeared to be of the type of character which could not be coerced.

He felt very glad Michael Arranstoun had not responded to his pressing request to join him.