So the thing was settled, and eager preparations immediately set on foot. Simple preparations, which did not take much time. On her part Mrs. Barclay had some to make, but hers were still more quickly despatched; so that before November had run all its thirty days, she had all ready for the move. Mr. Dillwyn went with her to the station and put her into the car. They were early, so he took a seat beside her to bear her company during the minutes of waiting.
"I would gladly have gone with you, to see you safe there," he remarked; "but I thought it not best, for several reasons."
"I should think so!" Mrs. Barclay returned dryly. "Philip, I consider this the very craziest scheme I ever had to do with!"
"Precisely; your being in it redeems it from that character."
"I do not think so. I am afraid you are preparing trouble for yourself; but your heart cannot be much in it yet!"
"Don't swear that," he said.
"Well, it cannot, surely. Love will grow on scant fare, I acknowledge; but it must have a little."
"It has had a little. But you are hardly to give it that name yet. Say, a fancy."
"Sensible men do not do such things for a fancy. Why, Philip, suppose I am able to do my part, and that it succeeds to the full; though how I am even to set about it I have at present no idea; I cannot assume that these young women are ignorant, and say I have come to give them an education! But suppose I find a way, and suppose I succeed; what then? You will be no nearer your aim—perhaps not so near."
"Perhaps not," he said carelessly.