“That is for your consideration, Sir; you entangled the skein, you must try if you cannot undo it. Lawyers, I have always heard, have resources at their command common mortals never have dreamed of. You may discover that Sir Within has no right to exercise this guardianship. You might find out,” she smiled dubiously as she uttered the words, “that the girl’s friends disapproved of this protection,--very humble people occasionally are right-minded on these points,--you might find--how can I tell what your ingenuity could not find--excellent reasons that she should go back to Ireland and to the obscurity she should never have quitted. I don’t doubt it may be hard to do this; but until I learn that it is impossible, I will never consent to withdraw from Mr. M’Kinlay that confidence with which his character and his abilities have ever inspired me.” “If the desire to win your favour Miss Courtenay----” “No, no, Mr. M’Kinlay, that is not enough! We women are very practical, if we are not very logical; we ask for success from those who aspire to our good esteem.” “To meet a difficulty, the first thing is to see where is the hitch!” said he, thoughtfully. “I don’t believe that I apprehend you here. What is it that you mean?” “I mean, Miss Courtenay, that it is only by learning very accurately what are the reasons for this girl’s removal--what urgent necessity, in fact, requires it--that I shall be likely to hit upon the means to affect it.” “Suppose it to be a caprice--a mere caprice!” “In that case, I should be powerless.” “I don’t mean an actual caprice,” said she, hurriedly, for she saw her error; “but a sort of apprehension that this initial mistake of my brother’s would lead to worse. Great unhappiness has been caused to families by these connexions; the Irish are a very vindictive people, Sir, if they thought, as they might think, some years hence, that we should have discovered our blunder before. In short, Sir, I will not turn special pleader to show what I wish and I insist on.” “Do you think, if I were to remain here to-morrow, Sir Gervais would be able to see me.” “It is most improbable; I am certain the doctors would not consent to it.” “Nor even the next day, perhaps?” “Just as unlikely; everything like business is strictly forbidden to him.” “Then I do not see why I should not start at once--now!” “If I am to accept this as zeal to serve me,” said she, in a very sweet accent, “I thank you sincerely.” “Ah, Miss Courtenay, could you only guess with what ardour I would apply myself to win your favour! If you had known how the very faintest promise of that favour----” “Mr. M’Kinlay,” said she, stopping him, and bestowing a very captivating smile on him, “Mr. M’Kinlay belongs to a profession that never stipulates for its reward!” “Enough, my dear Miss Courtenay,” said he, and, in his enthusiasm, he actually seized her hand and kissed it.