"A great deal," replied Ellersby calmly, "because I want to marry Miss Penfold."
"Impossible," said Balscombe pointedly, "quite impossible."
"How so?" asked the other coolly. "I have a good position, plenty of money, and my character is good."
"Your moral character?" sneering.
"Oh, that," with a laugh, "is no better nor worse than other young men, so I would like your answer. Will you favour my suit?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because, in the first place, my ward is going to marry Myles Desmond."
"Marry Myles Desmond!" replied Ellersby, with a sneer. "A man lying in prison under a charge of murder."
"He will be proved innocent of that charge."