Edna hesitated a moment. Then she said:
"Shall I—shall I speak to poor Miss Marchrose? It might be easier for another woman to do it, and I don't think she would resent it from me."
Two, at least, of those present might reasonably have received this assertion with a considerable amount of surprise, in view of certain past incidents apparently shrouded in complete oblivion by the forgiving Lady Rossiter.
The Alderman was less responsive this time.
"It's very good of you, Lady Rossiter—very good indeed. I'm sure we all appreciate your keen interest in the welfare of the College and the staff. But at the same time—I don't know——" He stopped rather helplessly.
"You mustn't think of me," gently said Edna. "Just speak out, quite frankly, and tell me what would be best for everyone. Anything I can do, you know——"
"The fact is, it's least said soonest mended, in these cases," blurted out the Alderman. "The girl had better go. Don't you agree with me, Sir Julian?"
"It will probably end in that."
There was a certain surprise visible on Lady Rossiter's face as she heard her husband's reply.
"It's her livelihood," she reminded them; "we mustn't forget that. But at the same time, the College interests come first, and the one thing to be avoided, at any cost, is a crisis. So much can be done by staving things off."