There was a pause.
“That was what you thought, eh?” repeated Mr. Cornthwaite more sharply.
Bram Elshaw frowned.
“Sir, may I speak out?” asked he bluntly.
“Certainly.”
“Well, then, sir, I don’t think it is a wise choice—if it was his choice at all, and not yours, sir?”
Now, Mr. Cornthwaite, while giving his permission to speak out, had not expected such uncompromising frankness as this. He was taken aback. He stammered as he began to answer—
“Why, why, what do you mean? Could there be a more sensible choice than such a lady as Miss Hibbs? A good daughter, not frivolous, or vain, or flighty; a sensible, affectionate girl, devoted to her parents and to good works. Just such a girl, in fact, as can be depended upon to make a thoroughly good, devoted wife.”
“For some sort of men, sir. But not for a man like Mr. Christian,” returned Bram with decision.