"It has occurred to me," remarked Mr. Cooper, with a certain pompousness, "that Miss Marchrose would not be at all unfitted to do what's required. And a little change might be rather a good thing for her, in its way, Sir Julian."
"Indeed?"
"There's been a certain amount of feeling, I'm afraid, just lately."
"I should like details, if you please."
"One hardly likes to say anything," Mr. Cooper began, with great and evident satisfaction. "She's a splendid worker, as you know, Sir Julian, and the other young ladies took to her quite wonderfully from the start. Quite foolish, one or two of them were about her. But the fact is, if you'll excuse my mentioning it, she's been rather indiscreet of late."
"Go on," said Julian in level tones, as Cooper waited, apparently for some sign of encouragement.
"The fact is, to put the whole matter in a nutshell, some of them have got talking. You know what that means, especially with one or two rather excitable young ladies."
There was a pause, during which Julian recollected Mr. Cooper's old-time predilection for the society of Miss Sandiloe.
"She hasn't made any secret of liking Mr. Mark Easter's society very much, and she's given him a good deal of hers. That's all it amounts to," said Mr. Cooper, with a great effect of frankness.
"He has found her useful for some of the extra work."