That was a
thing I noticed particularly in Miss Cameron.
"Matters went smoothly enough--smoothly enough--till one
afternoon that foolish creature Advena Murchison"--Finlay
started--"came here to pay a call on Miss Cameron and
Mrs Kilbannon. It was well and kindly meant, but it was
not a wise-like thing to do. I didn't exactly make it
out, but it seems that she came all because of you and
on account of you; and the ladies didn't understand it,
and Mrs Kilbannon came to me. My word, but there was a
woman to deal with! Who was this young lady, and what
was she to you that she should go anywhere or do anything
in your name? Without doubt"--he put up a staying hand--"it
was foolish of Advena. And what sort of freedom, and how
far, and why, and what way, and I tell you it was no easy
matter, to quiet her. 'Is Miss Cameron distressed about
it?' said I. 'Not a bit,' said she, 'but I am, and I must
have the rights of this matter,' said she, 'if I have to
put it to my nephew himself.'
"It was at that point, Finlay, that the idea--just then
that the thought came into my mind--well I won't say
absolutely, but practically for the first time--Why can't
this matter be arranged on a basis to suit all parties?
So I said to her, 'Mrs Kilbannon,' I said, 'if you had
reasonable grounds for it, do you think you could persuade
your niece not to marry Hugh Finlay?' Wait--patience!"
He held up his hand, and Finlay gripped the arm of his
chair again.
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