"I'm going to talk to Margaret. I hope to persuade her to marry me."
"When I suggested our taking a smoke, my object was to inquire about your friendship for Miss Jardine. After all, I am your trustee."
"I hope you approve my plan, sir," Jimmy rejoined.
"You know where to stop," Sir James remarked with a twinkle. "Perhaps my approval carries more weight than you think; because had I not approved, Miss Jardine would not have agreed."
"Then you have talked to her about it?" said Jimmy with keen surprise.
"Not at all; Miss Jardine is not dull. I soon saw she understood my importance, but did not mean to use her charm. Her friendliness was marked by some reserve. In fact, it was plain she acknowledged my business was to judge if she were the girl for you and she would not persuade me. Well, I liked her pride, and although we did not talk about it, I rather think she knew I did approve."
"Thank you, sir," said Jimmy with a grateful look.
Sir James put his hand on Jimmy's arm.
"When I started from Bombay I was bothered about you. Dick had found out something about Stannard and he imagined that Miss Stannard was his accomplice."
"Miss Stannard didn't know Stannard's occupation. She is not accountable for her father."