“The whole thing must be put a stop to,” said Mr. Lanley.
“Of course, of course,” said his daughter. “But how? I can’t forbid him the house because he’s just an average young man.”
“I don’t see why not, or at least on the ground that he’s not the husband you would choose for her.”
“I think the best way will be to let him come to the house,”—she spoke with a sort of imperishable sweetness,—“but to turn Mathilde gradually against him.”
“But how can you turn her against him?”
Adelaide looked very wistful.
“You don’t trust me,” she moaned.
“I only ask you how it can be done.”
“Oh, there are ways. I made her perfectly hate one of them because he always said, ‘if you know what I mean.’ ‘It’s a very fine day, Mrs. Farron, if you know what I mean.’ This young man must have some horrid trick like that, only I haven’t studied him yet. Give me time.”
“It’s risky.”