The float conversion System::Variant::float returns a float or a reference to a float that is a conversion of this System::Variant::Variant. If the float* conversion is used, the System::Variant::float sets the varByRef bit, meaning that the System::Variant::Variant contains a reference as opposed to a value. 

If the conversion operation is not possible because of an invalid variant type conversion, an EVariantError exception is thrown.