"There is nothing either disreputable or mysterious. People are sometimes lost sight of in this world. Mr. Nowell was a bad husband and an indifferent father, and Captain Sedgewick adopted his daughter; that is all."
"And no doubt, after you are married, this Mr. Nowell will make his appearance some day, and be a burden upon you."
"I am not afraid of that. And now, Belle, as this is a subject upon which we don't seem very likely to agree, I think we had better drop it. I considered it only right to tell you of my engagement."
On this his sister softened a little, and promised Gilbert that she would do her best to be kind to Miss Nowell.
"You won't be married for some time to come, of course," she said.
"I don't know about that, Belle. There is nothing to prevent a speedy marriage."
"O, surely you will wait a twelvemonth, at least. You have known Marian Nowell such a short time. You ought to put her to the test in some manner before you make her your wife."
"I have no occasion to put her to any kind of test. I have a most profound and perfect belief in her goodness."
"Why, Gilbert, this is utter infatuation—about a girl whom you have only known a little more than three weeks!"
It does seem difficult for a matter-of-fact, reasonable matron, whose romantic experiences are things of the remote past, to understand this sudden trust in, and all-absorbing love for, an acquaintance of a brief summer holiday. But Gilbert Fenton believed implicitly in his own instinct, and was not to be shaken.