"Turn lady-help; that's my mother's common advice."
"Harold, how dare you suggest such a thing to Miss Fanshawe? Do you know she is a peer's daughter?"
"I thought you said housework would do for the daughters of kings; and you have proposed it to our cousin, Dolly Dri—"
"Were you at Ryde this year, Phillipa?" asked Mrs. Purling, promptly.
"No—at Cowes. We were yachting. Dreary business, don't you think, Mr. Purling?"
"I rather like it."
"Yes, if you have a pleasant party and an object. But mere cruising"—Miss Fanshawe was quick at shifting her ground.
"And you are going to Scotland?"
"Probably; and then for a round of visits. Dear, dear, how I loathe it all! I had far rather stay with you."
The heiress smiled gratefully. It was, indeed, the dearest wish of her heart that Phillipa should stay with her for good and all, and she was at no pains to conceal the fact. To Phillipa she spoke with diffidence, doubting whether this great personage could condescend to favour her son. But there was no lack of frankness in the old lady's speech.