“Not one too many, if there be but room for them; my anxiety is, that my personal friends should not be worst off, and I have come to beg, if not inconvenient, that you would start from this on Tuesday.”
“Do you contract to bring us all down?” said Frobisher. “I really think you ought; the geography of that district is not very familiar to most of us. What says Miss Kennyfeck?”
“I like everything that promises pleasure and amusement.”
“What says her sister?” whispered Cashel to Olivia.
“How do you mean to travel, Mr. Cashel?” said she, in a tone which might be construed into perfect artlessness or the most intense interest.
“With you—if you permit,” said Cashel, in a low voice. “I have been thinking of asking Mrs. Kennyfeck if she would like to go down by sea, and sail up the Shannon. My yacht has just arrived.”
“Mamma cannot bear the water, or it would be delightful,” said Olivia.
“Cannot we manage a lady patroness, then?” said Cashel; “would Miss O'Hara kindly consent?”
“Aunt Fanny, Mr. Cashel wishes to speak to you.”
“Gare la tante!” said Frobisher, between his teeth.