Ermine made a vague answer that she doubted whether the ‘Invalid’ was separable from the ‘Traveller,’ and Rachel presently departed with her prospectus, but without having elicited a promise.
“Intolerable!” exclaimed the Colonel. “She was improving under Bessie’s influence, but she has broken out worse than ever. ‘Journal of Female Industry!’ ‘Journal of a Knight of Industry,’ might be a better title. You will have nothing to do with it, Ermine?”
“Certainly not as the ‘Invalid,’ but I owe her something for having let her run into this scrape before you.”
“As if you could have hindered her! Come, don’t waste time and brains on a companion for Curatocult.”
“You make me so idle and frivolous that I shall be expelled from the ‘Traveller,’ and obliged to take refuge in the ‘Female Industry Journal.’ Shall you distribute the prospectuses?”
“I shall give one to Bessie! That is if I go at all.”
“No, no, there is no valid reason for staying away. Even if we were sure that Rose was right, nothing could well come of it, and your absence would be most invidious.”
“I believe I am wanted to keep Master Alick in order, but if you have the least feeling that you would be more at ease with me at home—”
“That is not a fair question,” said Ermine, smiling. “You know very well that you ought to go.”
“And I shall try to bring back Harry Beauchamp,” added the Colonel. “He would be able to identify the fellow.”