“My cousin spoke most highly of the school,” continued Mrs. Cardew. “She said that two years there, or perhaps a little longer, would give the girls that knowledge of life which will be all-essential to them in the future.”
“Home education is best; I know it is best,” said Mr. Cardew. “I hate girls’ schools.”
“I gave her to understand, dear, that those were your views; but I have something else to tell you. You know how attached we both are to the dear Tristrams.”
“Of course, of course,” said Mr. Cardew with impatience.
“Well, at supper yesterday evening Mr. Tristram began to talk to me on the very same subject as my cousin, Lady Lysle, had spoken of earlier in the day.”
“Very interfering of Tristram,” replied Mr. Cardew.
“He didn’t mean it in that way, I assure you, my love; nothing could be nicer than the way he spoke. I was telling him—for I had not mentioned the fact to you, and it was troubling me a little—about Miss Beverley and Mr. Bennett, and asking his advice, as I often do. He immediately urged Aylmer House as the best possible substitute for Miss Beverley and Mr. Bennett. I repeated almost the same words I had used to Lucia Lysle—namely, that you were dead-set against girls’ schools.”
“That was scarcely polite, my love, seeing that he sends his own daughters to school.”
“Well, yes,” said Mrs. Cardew; “but of course their circumstances are very different.”
“I would be sorry if he should feel that difference, Sylvia. Tristram is a most excellent fellow.”