"But there is the revelation of her character," suggested Sibylla, taking the matter more seriously, or treating its want of seriousness with more tenderness.
"I'm inclined to think the young lady's right at present," said Blake. "What you have to do is to give her ground for changing her views—and to give her mother ground for changing hers too."
Jeremy listened to them all with engrossed interest. Whatever their attitude, they all confirmed his view.
"You once spoke of a berth in the City?" he said to Grantley.
"Not much fame there; but perhaps you may as well take things by instalments."
"I don't like it, you know. It's not my line at all."
Blake came to the rescue. The Selfords drew their money from large and important dyeing-works, although Selford himself had retired from any active share in the work of the business. There was room for scientific aptitude in dyeing-works, Blake opined rather vaguely. "You could make chemistry, for instance, subserve the needs of commerce, couldn't you?"
"That really is a good suggestion," said Jeremy approvingly.
"Capital!" Grantley agreed. "We'll get at Selford for you, Jeremy; and, if necessary, we'll club together, and send to Terra del Fuego, and buy Janet Selford a new dog."
"I begin to see my way," Jeremy announced.