But Milvain has been invited to contribute, you see.
'Do you think he ought to have refused ?' 'Oh no.

It's nothing to me; nothing whatever.' Mrs Yule glanced at her daughter, but Marian seemed unconcerned.

The subject was dismissed.

In introducing it Yule had had his purpose; there had always been an unnatural avoidance of Milvain's name in conversation, and he wished to have an end of this.

Hitherto he had felt a troublesome uncertainty regarding his position in the matter.