“Well, I suppose so. There, Sir Cheltnam, I’m a plain woman, and I’ll speak out. I’m afraid she has been thinking a good deal about Mr Beck.”
“Of course; but that is all over now. Mr Elthorne did not approve of it, and when I spoke to him, he told me that it was one of the great desires of his heart. Then came that terrible accident, and since then, you see, I have been quite left out in the cold. Come, now, Mrs Barnett, I do not wish to puff myself, but you must own that I can offer her everything that will insure her a happy future.”
“Oh, yes; I know all that,” said Aunt Anne. “Then play the part of friend to us both.”
“What can I do?”
“A thousand things that a clever diplomatic woman, like yourself, can contrive admirably. Of course I know all about the Beck business, and what did I do? Show annoyance? Not a bit. I said, ‘It is a young girl’s first fancy, but one that she will soon forget. I’ll wait;’ and I have waited, but now it is time I was recognised a little by the young lady.”
“But her time is so taken up with attending to her father.”
“No, Mrs Barnett; I say little, but I see much. The nurse takes all that off her shoulders I believe.”
“Oh, yes, very attentive, and that sort of thing; but I shall be very glad when she is gone.”
“Naturally. But come, now—you will help me?”
“Well, well; I’ll do all I can.”