“We were speaking—or rather, I was expressing a hope,” said Cashel, diffidently, “that a yacht excursion round the southern coast, and so up the Shannon, might not be an inappropriate way of reaching Tubbermore. Would Miss O'Hara feel any objection to be of the party?”
“With Caroline and me,” said Olivia, innocently.
Miss O'Hara smiled, and shook her head doubtfully.
“It is very tempting, Mr. Cashel,—too tempting, indeed; but it requires consideration. May I speak a word with you?” And so saying, she withdrew with Cashel into a window recess.
The interview was brief; but as they returned to the circle, Cashel was heard to say,—
“I am really the worst man in the world to solve such difficulties, for in my ignorance of all forms, I incur the risk of undervaluing them; but if you thought by my inviting Lord and Lady Kilgoff—”
“Oh, by no means. My sister would never consent to that. But I will just confer with her for an instant.”
“If the Kilgoff s are asked, it spoils all,” said Mrs. Kennyfeck, in reply to a whispered communication of her sister.
“I'll manage that,” said Aunt Fanny; “I half hinted you did n't like the companionship for the girls.”
“He'll invite Mrs. Leicester White, or Lady Janet, perhaps.”