“Yes. I like him rather. He seems to wish to make any amends in his power.”
“Amends! you dear old ridiculous mother! Do you call this amends?” holding up the letter. “He says now this discovery is getting known and he has a name for the sort of case, his practice is outgrowing him, and he wants some one to work with him who may be up to this particular matter, and all he has heard of us convinces him that he cannot do better than propose it to whichever of us has no other designs.”
“Very right and proper of him. It is the only thing he can do. I suppose it would be the making of one of you. Ah!” as she glanced over the letter. “He gives the preference to you.”
“He was bound to do that, but I think he would prefer the Monk. I wonder whether you care very much about my accepting the offer.”
“Would this house be too far off?”
“I don’t know his plans enough to tell. That was not what I was thinking of, but of what it would save her. Essie said she was not looking well; and no doubt waiting is telling on her, just as her mother always feared it would.”
“John has just not had the forbearance you have shown!”
“That is all circumstance. There was the saving her life, and afterwards the being on the spot when she was tormented about the other affair. He has no notion of having cut me out, and I trust he never will.”
“No, I do him that justice.”
“Then he has the advantage of me every way, out and out in looks and University training; and it was to him that Ruthven first took a fancy.”