"I don't see why not. The cure is more important than the means."
Jessie suddenly felt a sort of bewilderment. It could scarcely have been
Archie who said that, according to her knowledge of Archie.
"But surely that's impossible," she said. "What would you feel if you found your father had been setting William to spy and report on you?"
Archie's voice suddenly rose.
"Oh, what nonsense!" he said. "You speak as if I was going to break my bargain with my father. I never heard such nonsense."
Once again the sense of bewilderment came over Jessie. That wasn't like
Archie…
"I don't imply anything of the kind," she said. "But I do feel that it's impossible for you to get William to have an eye on your father, and report to you. And I'm almost certain that you really agree with me."
Archie considered this, and then laughed.
"I suppose I do," he said. "But the ardour of the newly born missionary was hot within me. Are missionaries born or made, by the way? Anyhow, I'm a missionary now. Nobody could have guessed that I was going to be a missionary."
Their stroll to-night was only up and down the broad gravel walk in front of the windows. It was very hot and all the drawing-room windows were open, so also were those of Lord Tintagel's study and the windowed door that led into the garden. As they passed this Archie saw a footman bring in a tray on which were set the usual evening liquids, and he guessed that his father had forgotten or had omitted to say that the syphon and some ice was all that would be needed. He thought for a moment, intently and swiftly.