“She is staying at my house now, and I will have her call at this girl’s boarding-house to see her,” said Mr. Legare, “or perhaps it would be better she should call here?”
“Would it not be easier for the lady to communicate her offer by letter?” suggested Mr. W——.
“It might be easier, but hardly so satisfactory as it would be for them to see each other, and judge, as most people will from an interview, how one would like the other. But I’ll tell you what to do, W——, sound the girl on the subject, and see what her feelings are, and let me know. Then it will be time enough to decide how to bring on a meeting between her and Mrs. Emory, my sister-in-law.”
“All right, Mr. Legare. I will endeavor to disclose your plan to Miss Butler in as delicate a manner as possible. I know she is very high-strung and independent, and she will shrink from incurring obligations unless she feels that she can render an equivalent.”
“She could. My sister-in-law is a sad and lonely woman. Some secret sorrow, which her friends could never fathom, has laid heavily on her heart for years. It makes her so melancholy at times that we have almost feared for her reason. A sweet, companionable girl, intellectual and gifted, would be a blessing in her lonely home.”
“It would seem so. Can I speak of the lady and her circumstances?” asked W——.
“Certainly. Say all that I have said to Miss Butler, and add that I feel a fatherly interest in her welfare. Were I childless, I would adopt her myself. But I have two dear children, a son and daughter, as you know, and they would think it treason to them were I to invite another to my home.”
“And who could blame them?” added Mr. W——. “Well, I will approach the young lady on the matter, and let you know what she thinks about it the next time you call.”
“Which will be very soon,” said Mr. Legare, now taking his leave.
“Jupiter Tonans! I see a way now which will make even my proud sisters come to my views. The poor shop-girl, once adopted in a wealthy and aristocratic family, will not be objectionable to them, if indeed in that position she is ever recognized as having been here. I will persuade her to accept this adoption, and then, if it be possible to persuade her to accept me as a husband, I shall be the happiest man alive; for I cannot deny in my own heart that I love the sweet girl even where she is, and as she is, and had I only my own feelings to consult, I would tell her so, and offer her my hand within the hour.”