"But very small and inconvenient."
"Suppose you ask Mr. Mallard for his thoughts on the subject?" said Eleanor, as if at the bidding of a caprice.
"Does Mr. Mallard know that I once had this purpose?"
"I think so," replied the other, with a little hesitation. "You know that there was no kind of reserve about it when you first came to Naples."
"No, of course not. Do you feel as sure of his opinion as of Edward's?"
"I can't say that I do. There's no foreseeing his judgment about anything. As you are such good friends, why not consult him?"
"Our friendship doesn't go so far as that."
"And after all, I don't see what use other people's opinions can be to you," said Eleanor, waiving the point. "It's a matter of sentiment. Strict obligation you see, of course, that there is none whatever. If it would please you to use a large sum of money in this way, you have a perfect right to do so. But, by-the-bye, oughtn't you to make the Bartles people clearly understand who it is that builds their chapel?"
"Surely there is no need of that?"
"I think so. The scruple, in my case, would be far more on this side than on the other."