“Everything on our side,” repeated the boy with boyish confidence. “Respectability, an excellent connection for me, common sense, everything!”

“To be sure, your sister has always shown herself a devoted sister,” said Bradley, willing to sustain himself on even that low ground of hope.

“Naturally, Mr. Headstone, I have a good deal of influence with her. And now that you have honoured me with your confidence and spoken to me first, I say again, we have everything on our side.”

And Bradley thought again, “Except your sister, perhaps.”