At this Mrs. Egerton’s middle-aged countenance was touched with a little colour, for perhaps in consequence of the curate’s boundless admiration for her, she stood a little in awe of him, and doubtless avoided in his presence the expression of all sentiments that might seem to him unworthy. She hesitated for a moment. ‘Mr. Cattley,’ she said. ‘I must first explain. These two are at a dangerous age to be such great friends. With boy and girl that sort of sentiment is so apt to glide into--a warmer feeling.’ ‘Yes, I know; and not only with boy and girl.’ ‘Well, some people condemn all friendship between men and women on that account; but of course at their age it is doubly---- Now, Mr. Cattley, you understand. With the greatest regard for John Sandford, one would not, you know, wish that Elly---- Her father would never give his consent.’ ‘I see,’ said the curate. ‘It would not be a very fine match for her, indeed. I should prefer a young duke.’ ‘Don’t laugh at me. I should not prefer a young duke: but I should prefer some one a little above, to some one a little below. Don’t you see? I think in the present circumstances you must feel there is something reasonable in that.’ ‘Quite reasonable,’ said Mr. Cattley. ‘I should like Elly to be rich and great--happy, too.’ ‘Yes, yes; there is no question of her happiness. If that were involved, of course I should not say another word. But at present we have not to take that into consideration. The only danger is that both of them might get to think--they are full of poetry and stories, Elly as full as possible. They might get to think they were made for each other, without any sufficient cause even in themselves, and everything against it--everything! in the circumstances.’ ‘I see,’ Mr. Cattley said again. ‘But what do you suppose I can do?’ ‘If you would but speak to Jack! There is no one he respects so much. Warn him that it is not wise for him to see so much of Elly, that their old familiarity was only possible when they were children, that for him to call her---- as he does--I am sure you would know exactly what to say. Percy was to have done it last night: but he was entirely routed by the appearance of Jack’s sister whom he took for----’ Mrs. Egerton laughed, but continued with mingled prudence and temerity, for Percy looked daggers at her, ‘who seems to have been something in the guardian angel way.’ Mr. Cattley did not take any notice of this, but he said, meditatively, ‘It will be a curious thing for me to do. And yet perhaps I am the most natural agent. But I don’t know what I shall say to him. It may be--have you considered that?--putting an idea into his head which was not there.’