“What can they possibly be?”
For the second time, my politeness gave way under the strain laid on it. “You know perfectly well,” I said, “what one of the obstacles is.”
“Am I to understand that you contemplate any serious resistance on the part of my husband?”
“Certainly!”
She was unaffectedly amused by my simplicity.
“Are you a single man?” she asked.
“I am a widower.”
“Then your experience ought to tell you that I know every weak point in the Minister’s character. I can tell him, on your authority, that the hateful child will be placed in competent and kindly hands—and I have my own sweet baby to plead for me. With these advantages in my favor, do you actually suppose I can fail to make my way of thinking his way of thinking? You must have forgotten your own married life! Suppose we go on to the second of your two obstacles. I hope it will be better worth considering than the first.”
“The second obstacle will not disappoint you,” I answered; “I am the obstacle, this time.”
“You refuse to help me?”