“True.”
“As for this young lady, why, I am sorry she will be driven to think ill of me; but any explanation would be clearly impossible. She will have a handsome fortune in any case, and probably marry some one infinitely more to her taste than I should be. In two or three days my leave of absence expires, and I go to rejoin my regiment near Gloucester.”
“I no sooner see you again than you are snatched away. It is hard, Paul.”
“Just at this juncture perhaps it will be better for me to be out of your way. You will think more kindly of your absent son and his faults and follies than you might of——”
“Come. Let us put away that painful subject, and not recur to it unless necessary. Of course, it is of no earthly use your giving another thought to this Miss Turquand.”
“I think it would be as well to confide my exact position to the lawyer who drew up the will, and who introduced me to the young lady yesterday evening—Amberley. I think I mentioned his name to you. He might be able to give me a dispassionate word of advice.”
Mrs. Desfrayne considered.
“You see, my dearest mother, he would be able to look at the matter from a mere business point of view, as he has no interest in the affair.”
“Perhaps,” Mrs. Desfrayne slowly said, “it might be as well to consult him. I think I have met him at Lady Quaintree’s. Yes, it would perhaps be best to speak to him about your most unhappy position.”
Captain Desfrayne rose, and went over to his mother’s little writing-table. As if afraid to trust to his continuance of purpose, he sat down and wrote a few lines to Frank Amberley, asking him to make an appointment, as he desired to consult him on a matter of importance.