On the occasion when he met Milvain and Marian together in the country road he had necessarily reflected upon the possibilities of such intercourse, and with the issue that he did not care to give any particular encouragement to its continuance.

He of course heard of Milvain's leave-taking call, and he purposely refrained from seeing the young man after that.

The matter took no very clear shape in his meditations; he saw no likelihood that either of the young people would think much of the other after their parting, and time enough to trouble one's head with such subjects when they could no longer be postponed.

It would not have been pleasant to him to foresee a life of spinsterhood for his daughter; but she was young, and--she was a valuable assistant.
How far did that latter consideration weigh with him?
He put the question pretty distinctly to himself now that his wife had broached the matter thus unexpectedly.

Was he prepared to behave with deliberate selfishness?
Never yet had any conflict been manifested between his interests and Marian's; practically he was in the habit of counting upon her aid for an indefinite period.
If indeed he became editor of The Study, why, in that case her assistance would be less needful.