“Go on, Uncle John! Go on! I will try to be patient!” said Mrs. Dainty, leaning back in her chair and forcing to her lips a smile of resignation.
“A fig for your patience! Answer me in reason!” retorted the old gentleman.
“I will when I make you my father confessor; but not before. I have no need at present for such a ghostly appendage.”
In this spirit the controversy went on for more than half an hour, no advantage whatever being gained by Uncle John. Mrs. Dainty said that she had tried a governess of his selection, and tried her faithfully; and now she was going to try one of her own choosing, and, if he talked until doomsday, it would not, in the smallest degree, affect her purposes in the case.
Most reluctantly did Mr. Fleetwood consent to abandon the argument. He felt that too much was at stake. But a woman’s will in the case was altogether too strong for him. Mrs. Dainty had made up her mind to have her own way, and all remonstrance, argument, and persuasion went with her for nothing.
CHAPTER XI.
THE DEMON UNVEILED.
“Such a scene as I have had with that meddlesome old uncle of mine!” said Mrs. Dainty to Mrs. Jeckyl. The two ladies met in the room of the latter, whither Mrs. Dainty repaired as soon as Mr. Fleetwood, hopeless of gaining any influence over her, had retired, discomfited, from the field of controversy.
“On what subject?” inquired the new governess.
“Oh, about you!” said Mrs. Dainty.
“About me? What about me?” The small, gray eyes of Mrs. Jeckyl lightened.