‘I hope,’ said Percy, ‘that we shall succeed in strengthening the impression. I am very sure we shall try our best.’ And with that he sat down again with all the mild persistence of his profession, as if he meant to remain there for the rest of his life.
CHAPTER XIII.
A NEW INFLUENCE.
‘Percy, did you talk to John?’
‘Oh, yes. I talked to him a great deal,’ said Percy, without meeting his aunt’s anxious eye.
‘But about the one subject? About——’
‘Most subjects in earth and heaven.’ He paused a little, and then resumed with embarrassment. ‘If you mean about Elly, Aunt Mary—I—I didn’t. That’s the fact. His sister was there, and—— somehow it didn’t seem suitable,’ the young man said.
‘Of course his sister was there. You knew she was expected: and of course you could not speak before her: but surely there were opportunities.’
‘I suppose so,’ said Percy, ‘but I didn’t, that is all that can be said.’
‘Your courage failed you at the last? Well, I don’t wonder: indeed I like you better for it,’ said Mrs. Egerton. ‘I did you injustice, my dear boy. I thought you rather liked the commission. That just proves how wrong we are in forming hasty judgments.’ Percy accepted this conclusion without wincing, and, after a moment of reflection, his aunt added, ‘I am afraid it will have to be done, though, and who is to do it? Your father is no good, and, as for me, I cannot trust myself. I wonder if Mr. Cattley—— but then Mr. Cattley is very fond of Jack.’
‘He is much fonder of you, Aunt Mary.’