"He may accept her aid till he has found some way of earning money. What amazes me--if you will allow me the liberty of an old friend--is that you should think a woman justified in coercing a son of mature age in such a matter!"
His tone, his manner pierced Lady Lucy's pride. She threw back her head nervously, but her tone was calm:
"A woman to whom property has been intrusted must do her best to see that the will and desires of those who placed it in her hands are carried out!"
"Well, well!"--Sir James looked for his stick--"I am sorry for Oliver--but"--he straightened himself--"it will make a bigger man of him."
Lady Lucy made no reply, but her expression was eloquent of a patience which her old friend might abuse if he would.
"Does Ferrier know? Have you consulted him?" asked Sir James, turning abruptly.
"He will be here, I think, this afternoon--as usual," said Lady Lucy, evasively. "And, of course, he must know what concerns us so deeply."
As she spoke the hall-door bell was heard.
"That is probably he." She looked at her companion uncertainly. "Don't go, Sir James--unless you are really in a hurry."
The invitation was not urgent; but Sir James stayed, all the same. Ferrier was a man so interesting to his friends that no judgment of his could be indifferent to them. Moreover, there was a certain angry curiosity as to how far Lady Lucy's influence would affect him. Chide took inward note of the fact that his speculation took this form, and not another. Oh! the hypocritical obstinacy of decent women!--the lack in them of heart, of generosity, of imagination!