“Talking of Mina,” resumed Dr. Knox, passing by her remark, “I think you must look a little closely after her. She is more intimate, I fancy, with Captain Collinson than is desirable, and——”
“Suppose Captain Collinson wants to marry her?” interrupted Mrs. Knox.
“Has he told you that he wants to do so?”
“No; not in so many words. But he evidently likes her. What a good match it would be!”
“Mina is too young to be married yet. And Captain Collinson cannot, I should suppose, have any intention of the sort. If he had, he would speak out: when it would be time enough to consider and discuss his proposal. Unless he does speak, I must beg of you not to allow Mina to be alone with him.”
“She never is alone with him.”
“I think she is, at odd moments. Only last night I saw her with him at the gate. Before that, while your soirée was going on, Dicky—I believe he could tell you so, if you asked him—saw them walking together in the garden, the captain’s arm round her waist.”
“Girls are so fond of flirting! And young men think no harm of a little passing familiarity.”
“Just so. But for remembering this, I should speak to Captain Collinson. The thought that there may be nothing serious in it prevents me. At any rate, I beg of you to take care of Mina.”
“And the money I want?” she asked, as he took up his hat to go.