Part 46 (1/2)
”If you will permit me, Mademoiselle,” said he, haughtily, to finish my phrase, ”you will find that, notwithstanding my many and pressing engagements, and the incessant demands which the opening of term makes upon my time, it is my intention not to refuse this--this, I shall call it favour--for it is favour--to my respected client. Can you be ready by Monday?”
”We are Wednesday now! Yes; but of Mademoiselle Kate, what of her? Does she come with us?”
”I opine not,” said he, gravely.
”And where she go to?” said she, with an eagerness which occasionally marred the accuracy of her expression.
”Sir Gervais has suggested that we may take one of two courses, Mademoiselle,” said he, and probably something in the phrase reminded M'Kinlay of a well-known statesman, for he unconsciously extended an arm, and with the other lifted his coat-skirt behind him, ”or, it is even possible, adopt a third.”
”This means, she is not to come with us, Sir.”
Mr. M'Kinlay bowed his concurrence. ”You see, Mademoiselle,” said he, authoritatively, ”it was a mistake from the beginning, and though I warned Sir Gervais that it must be a mistake, he would have his way; he thought she would be a means of creating emulation.”
”So she has, Sir.”
”I mean, wholesome emulation; the generous rivalry--the--the--in fact, that she would excite Miss Vyner to a more vigorous prosecution of her studies, without that discouragement that follows a conscious--what shall I call it--not inferiority?”
”Yes, inferiority.”
”This, I am aware, Mademoiselle, was your view; the letter I hold here from Miss Courtenay shows me the very painful impression your opinion has produced; nor am I astonished at the warmth--and there is warmth--with which she observes: 'Mademoiselle H. is under a delusion if she imagines that my brother-in-law was about to establish a nursery for prodigies. If the pigeon turns out to be an eagle, the sooner it is out of the dovecot the better.' Very neatly and very smartly put. 'If the pigeon-------'”
”Enough of the pigeon, Sare. Where is she to go? who will take her in charge?”
”I have not fully decided on the point, Mademoiselle, but by this evening I hope to have determined upon it; for the present, I have only to apprise you that Miss O'Hara is not to go to Italy, and that whatever arrangement should be necessary for her---either to remain in England, or to return to her family, will be made as promptly possible.”
”And who will take her in charge, Sare?” said she, repeating the former question.
Mr. M'Kinlay laid his hand over the region of his heart, and bowed; but whether he meant that he himself would undertake the guardians.h.i.+p of the young lady, or that the matter was a secret enclosed in his own breast, is not at all easy to say.
”May I speak to her about this?”
”Not until I shall see you again; but you may take all such measures as may prepare her for her sudden departure.”
Mr. M'Kinlay was, throughout the brief interview, more despotic than gallant. He was not quite satisfied that the mission was one in perfect accordance with his high professional dignity, and so to relieve himself from any self-reproach, he threw a dash of severity through his condescension.
”I suppose,” said he, superbly--”I suppose she has clothes?”
Mademoiselle stared at this, but did not reply.
”I am somewhat unaccustomed, as you may perceive, Mademoiselle, to these sort of affairs; I know nothing of young ladies' wardrobes. I simply asked, was she in a position to travel, if called on, at a brief notice?”
”My poor Kate! my poor Kate!” was all that the governess could utter.
”I must say, Mademoiselle,” said he, pompously, ”that, looking to what she originally came from, and taking into account the care and cost bestowed upon her, I do not perceive this to be a case that calls for any deep commiseration.”
”Poor child! poor child!” stammered she out; and, unable to control her emotion, she arose and left the room.
”Rickards was right; that artful minx has won them all over. It is high time to send her back to her own country, and, from the brief experience I have had of it, I'll venture to say all her captivations there will not make many victims. Three o'clock already,” said he, with surprise, ”and I had meant to be at Dalradern early.” He rung and ordered the carriage. It had been at the door for above an hour. Strange how the morning should have slipped over; had it been real business, what a deal he could have transacted in the time; but these little ”peddling negotiations,” so he called them, ran away with a man's time before he was aware of it. As he pa.s.sed through the hall, he saw, through a partly open door, the two girls--they were seated at a table, with their heads bent over a map.
”Yea,” said Ada, ”this is the way papa mentions; here is Ma.r.s.eilles, and here, if the sea be rough, is the road we shall have to travel, all along the coast, by Nice and Genoa. Oh, don't you wish it may be bad weather, Kate?”