"You mean that she ought to wait until she is sure that he is made over?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I feel that way. But what if the girl believes in him? Doesn't dream that he is weak—trusts him absolutely, blindly? Should any one try to open her eyes?"
"Sometimes it is folly to be wise. Perhaps for her he will always be strong."
"Then what's the answer?"
"Only this. That the man himself should make the test. He should wait until he knows that he is worthy of her."
She made a little gesture of hopelessness, just the lifting of her hands and letting them drop; then she spoke with a rush of feeling.
"Mr. Poole—it is Barry and Leila. Ought I to let them marry?"
He smiled at her confidence in her ability to rule the destinies of those about her.
"I fancy that you won't have anything to do with it. He is of age, and you are only his sister. You couldn't forbid the banns, you know."