"Damn," Bobby replied concisely.
They found Miss Gannion alone before the fire. She threw down her book and welcomed them cordially.
"I had an indolent fit, to-day," she said, as she drew some chairs up before the hearth. "Once in a while, I prefer to dismiss my clerical adviser and settle my problems to suit myself. To be sure, I am quite likely to settle them wrongly; but that renews my confidence in churchly methods, so some good is gained, after all."
Bobby deliberately placed himself in the chair which long experience of Miss Gannion's house had taught him best fitted the angles of his anatomy.
"We came to have you settle a problem for us," he said; "so we are glad your hand is in."
"And the problem," Sally added; "is Beatrix."
"What about Beatrix?" Miss Gannion asked.
"She is going to marry Sidney Lorimer, and she mustn't. Please tell us how we are going to prevent it."
Miss Gannion sat still for a moment, with her clear eyes fixed on the glowing embers.
"Are you sure that it would be best to prevent it?" she asked then.