to be misinformed. But Yule, though he heard the original rumour denied
by people whom in other matters he would have trusted, would not lay
aside the doubt that flattered his prejudices. If Milvain were not the
writer of the review, he very well might have been; and what certainty
could be arrived at in matters of literary gossip?

There was an element of jealousy in the father's feeling. If he did not
love Marian with all the warmth of which a parent is capable, at least
he had more affection for her than for any other person, and of this he
became strongly aware now that the girl seemed to be turning from him.
If he lost Marian, he would indeed be a lonely man, for he considered
his wife of no account.

Intellectually again, he demanded an entire allegiance from his
daughter; he could not bear to think that her zeal on his behalf was
diminishing, that perhaps she was beginning to regard his work as futile
and antiquated in comparison with that of the new generation. Yet this
must needs be the result of frequent intercourse with such a man as
Milvain. It seemed to him that he remarked it in her speech and manner,
and at times he with difficulty restrained himself from a reproach or a
sarcasm which would have led to trouble.

Had he been in the habit of dealing harshly with Marian, as with her
mother, of course his position would have been simpler. But he had
always respected her, and he feared to lose that measure of respect with
which she repaid him. Already he had suffered in her esteem, perhaps
more than he liked to think, and the increasing embitterment of his
temper kept him always in danger of the conflict he dreaded. Marian was
not like her mother; she could not submit to tyrannous usage. Warned
of that, he did his utmost to avoid an outbreak of discord, constantly
hoping that he might come to understand his daughter's position, and
perhaps discover that his greatest fear was unfounded.

Twice in the course of the summer he inquired of his wife whether she
knew anything about the Milvains. But Mrs Yule was not in Marian's
confidence.

'I only know that she goes to see the young ladies, and that they do
writing of some kind.'

'She never even mentions their brother to you?'

'Never. I haven't heard his name from her since she told me the Miss
Milvains weren't coming here again.'

He was not sorry that Marian had taken the decision to keep her friends
away from St Paul's Crescent, for it saved him a re