"Yes, yes," said Sir Within, slowly, as he pondered over the other's words, "there is much in what you say, and the remarkable fact is, that _they do_, very often, make admirable wives."
Who were the "they" he referred to, as a category, M'Kinlay did not dare to inquire, but assented by a smile and a bow.
"Curious it is," said the old man, reflectively, "to mark how generations alternate, as if it were decreed that the world should not make any distinct progress, but oscillate between vice and virtue--virtue and vice. The respectable father and the scampish son being the counterpoise for the rakish mamma and the discreet daughter."
To what such a reflection could be thought to apply, Mr. M'Kinlay had not the vaguest conception; but it is only fair to add, that his faculties were never throughout the interview at their clearest.
"My chief difficulty is this, Sir," said the lawyer, rising to an effort that might show he had an opinion and a will of his own; "Sir Gervais requests me to convey his daughter as far as Marseilles; he names an early day to meet us there, so that really there is very little time--I may say no time, if we must start by Monday next."
Sir Within made no reply, and the other went on.
"Suppose I take this girl over to Paris with us, and the school should be full, and no vacancy to be had? Suppose they might object--I have heard of such things--to receive as a pupil one who had not made any preliminary inquiries?"
"Your position might become one of great embarrassment, Mr. M'Kinlay, and to relieve you so far as in me lies, I would propose that until you have taken the necessary steps to ensure Miss O'Hara's reception, she should remain under the charge of my housekeeper here, Mrs. Simcox. She is a most excellent person, and kindness itself. When you have satisfied yourself by seeing Madame Gosselin at Paris, as to all matters of detail, I shall very probably have had time to receive a reply to the letter I will write to my co-trustee, Mr. Luttrell, and everything can be thus arranged in all due form."
"I like all of your plans, Sir, but the last step. I have confessed to you that Sir Gervais Vyner had strictly enjoined me not to mention Mr. Luttrell's name."