Whatever of stern necessity might have inspired the utterance of such words of cold renunciation, it was assuredly neither indifference nor dislike.

He forgave the lips, recalling only the eyes.
With his hand still pressed against the porch railing, the young man suddenly recalled Biff Farnham, his cool gray eyes as instantly hardening, his lips pressed together.

What possible part in the dusk of the shadowed past did that disreputable gambler play?
What connection could he hold, either in honor or dishonor, with the previous life history of Beth Norvell?
He did not in the least doubt her, for it was Winston's nature to be entirely loyal, to be unsuspicious of those he once trusted.

Yet he could not continue completely blind.

That there once existed some connection it was impossible to ignore entirely.