— his temptations never lay in that direction; but he worried about it none the less. It was his own fault that she was discussing him with his mother; he had wanted her support in his third attempt to win Lucy; he wanted to feel that others, no matter who they were, agreed with him, and so he had asked their permission. Mrs. Honeychurch had been civil, but obtuse in essentials, while as for Freddy — ”He is only a boy,” he reflected. “I represent all that he despises. Why should he want me for a brother-in-law?”

The Honeychurches were a worthy family, but he began to realize that Lucy was of another clay; and perhaps — he did not put it very definitely — he ought to introduce her into more congenial circles as soon as possible.

“Mr. Beebe!”