"I want your advice, Henry, on a little matter."
"I shall be most happy to give it," he said, gaily, still intent upon his drawing.
"Well, then, do you not think the most prudent thing we could do for Mabel would be to get her a nice place as a governess?"
"Really," replied he, shrugging his shoulders, "really, that is a matter which must so very much depend upon yourself, that I must be excused giving an opinion."
Caroline remarked, with pleasure, that he did not seem surprised.
"But Henry," continued Mrs. Villars, "as a friend of our family, do you not think that, the kindest and best thing that can be done for her?"
"It shall not be," said Mr. Villars, laying down his paper, "with my consent."
"Yes, but Henry," she said, still speaking to him, "do you not see what an artful flirt she is, and how injurious she is likely to prove to my daughters."
Hargrave only gave another doubtful shrug.