“Nor to us, heaven be praised!” said Mrs Durant; and then she added, “It is not for ourselves; it is for poor little Frances, a girl that has never known a mother’s care! How much better for her to be with her mother, and properly introduced into society, than living in that hugger-mugger way, without education, without companions! If it were not for Tasie, the child would never see a creature near her own age.” “And I am much older than Frances,” said Tasie, rather to heighten the hardship of the situation than from any sense that this was true. “Decidedly the Padre ought to talk to him,” said the Anglo-Indian. “He ought to be made to feel that everybody at the station---- Wife all right, do you know? Bless me! if the wife is all right, what does the man mean? Why can’t they quarrel peaceably, and keep up appearances, as we all do?” “Oh no--not all; _we_ never quarrel.” “Not for a long time, my love.” “Henry, you may trust to my memory. Not for about thirty years. We had a little disagreement then about where we were to go for the summer. Oh, I remember it well--the agony it cost me! Don’t say ‘as we _all_ do,’ General, for it would not be true.” “You are a pair of old turtle-doves,” quoth the General. “All the more reason why you should talk to him, Padre. Tell him he’s come among us on false pretences, not knowing the damage he might have done. I always thought he was a queer hand to have the education of a little girl.” “He taught her Latin; and that woman of theirs, Mariuccia, taught her to knit. That’s all she knows. And her mother all the time in such a fine position, able to do anything for her! Oh, it is of Frances I think most!” “It is quite evident,” said the General, “that Mr Durant must interfere.” “I think it very likely I shall do no good. A man of the world, a man like that----” “There is no such great harm about the man.” “And he is very good to Frances,” said Tasie, almost under her breath. “I daresay he meant no harm,” said the General, “if that is all. Only, he should be warned; and if anything can be done for Frances---- It is a pity she should see nobody, and never have a chance of establishing herself in life.” “She ought to be introduced into society,” said Mrs Durant. “As for establishing herself in life, that is in the hands of Providence, General. It is not to be supposed that such an idea ever enters into a girl’s mind--unless it is put there, which is so often the case.” “The General means,” said Tasie, “that seeing people would make her more fit to be a companion for her papa. Frances is a dear girl; but it is quite true--she is wanting in conversation. They often sit a whole evening together and scarcely speak.” “She is a nice little thing,” said the General, energetically--“I always thought so; and never was at a dance, I suppose, or a junketing of any description, in her life. To be sure, we are all old duffers in this place. The Padre should interfere.”