“He’d say: If she must be got out of the way and married off, get some hard-up Sub who can’t pay his mess debts, or wants to lodge a few hundreds for the next vacancy; or find some Irish squire. My governor always thinks an Irishman is ready for anything but paying his debts. He’d marry her for a couple of thousand down. That’s what my governor would hit on, without taking five minutes to think of it.” “What if _she_ would not consent to such an arrangement?” “That’s as it might be. You’ll not find my governor giving any one credit for a strong will but himself. He reasons out every question his own way, and never suspects the mere possibility of opposition.” “That may do in the bank, perhaps, where none can gainsay him.” “He’ll tell you, it does just as well in the world at large; and he’ll point to himself as the best proof of the system.” “I should like to hear your father discuss the question with the young lady herself; she, I take it, has a will of her own, also; and the matter would probably be well debated.” “She’d have no chance with my governor!” “I’m not so sure of that. I have a suspicion that she could hold her own in an argument that touched her interest.” “You know more of her than I do. She spoke to _you_, to _me_ she barely condescended a few words. No more wine: thanks. I must be thinking of the road. I have got old Sir Within’s horses, and the coachman tells me they have never been out after sunset for the last four years, and if they get cold now it may cost him his place.” “Why not come over and stop here, it might bore you less than yonder?” “I should be delighted; I could ask nothing better; but I am supposed to be down here on business. My governor is not at all satisfied with the way things are going on. He says Sir Within has cut down too much timber, and he has taken renewals for leases he had no right to grant, and what with his tanks, and fish-ponds, and river-gods, he has left two mills without a drop of water.” “Tell him, with my compliments, Sir Within Wardle will do worse than all these.” “You mean about that girl?” “Yes.” “That’s what Grog says, but I dare not quote _him_ to the governor. Tell me, would you have any objection to my telling him that this was _your_ opinion?” “I have not the honour of being known to your father, and a mere surmise of mine would carry no weight with it.” “I don’t know that. I fancy he rather took a liking to you last night. What did you do at whist?” “Lost a few half-crowns.” “Ah, that accounts for it all! He said at breakfast this morning, that though you held only indifferent cards, you played with perfect composure, and it was quite a pleasure to play with you. With a few nights’ ill luck you’ll stand high in his favour, I promise you.” “It is a cheap friendship after all,” said Grenfell, laughing. “Yes. You may have it for five pounds, but I doubt greatly if you could re-sell it for as many shillings.”