We're in a reaction of reform.
It's the old drunkards who are always more clamorous for total abstinence than the moderately temperate.

I tell you, Hathaway, there couldn't be an unluckier moment for our secret coming out." "But she will be of age soon." "In two months." "And sure to marry." "Marry!" repeated Pendleton, with grim irony.

"Would YOU marry her ?" "That's another question," said the young man, promptly, "and one of individual taste; but it does not affect my general belief that she could easily find a husband as good and better." "Suppose she found one BEFORE the secret is out.

Ought he be told ?" "Certainly." "And that would imply telling HER ?" "Yes," said Paul, but not so promptly.

"And you consider THAT fulfilling the promise of the Trust--the pledges exchanged with that woman ?" continued Pendleton, with glittering eyes and a return to his own dominant tone.
"My dear colonel," said Paul, somewhat less positively, but still smiling, "you have made a romantic, almost impossible compact with Mrs.
Howard that, you yourself are now obliged to admit, circumstances may prevent your carrying out substantially.