"She might have," I declared impulsively.
"I think you're right. She's a very clever woman. Young men are wax in hands like that."
"Shall we get back from what isn't in question to what is, Lord Fillingford?"
"I don't think that the digression was due to me—not wholly anyhow. If it were, I must seek excuse in the fact that I have lived a month under that nightmare." I must have given some sign of protest or indignation. "Well, I beg your pardon—under that impression."
"From that, at least, you're relieved—by the present arrangement."
"The proposed arrangement"—I noticed that he corrected my epithet—"has not my approval, Mr. Austin. The other day I called it ridiculous. That was perhaps too strong. But it is profoundly distasteful to me, and not at all to my son's interest. I wish to say plainly that I am doing and shall do my best to dissuade him from it."
"If he won't be dissuaded?"
"I venture to hope that we needn't discuss that eventuality. Time enough, if it should occur."
"Miss Octon's feelings——"
"What Miss Driver has—properly and legitimately as you maintain—used her efforts to promote, she will probably be able, with a little more trouble, to undo. That seems to me not my affair."