“Upon my word, sir,” said Prosper, as soon as the door was shut, “I beg your pardon.  But I was so moved by certain things which have occurred that I was carried much beyond my usual habits.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“It is peculiarly distressing to me that I should have been induced to forget myself in the presence of a clergyman of the parish and my brother-in-law.  But I must beg you to forget it.”

“Oh, certainly.  I will tell you now why I have come over.”

“I can assure you that such is not my habit,” continued Mr. Prosper, who was thinking much more of the unaccustomed oath which he had sworn than of his brother-in-law’s visit, strange as it was.  “No one, as a rule, is more guarded in his expressions than I am.  How it should have come to pass that I was so stirred I can hardly tell.  But Miss Thoroughbung had said certain words which had moved me very much.”  She had called him “Peter” and “deary,” and had spoken of him as “keeping company” with her.  All these disgusting terms of endearment he could not repeat to his brother-in-law, but felt it necessary to allude to them.

“I trust that you may be happy with her when she is your wife.”

“I can’t say.  I really don’t know.  It’s a very important step to take at my age, and I’m not quite sure that I should be doing wisely.”

“It’s not too late,” said Mr. Annesley.

“I don’t know.  I can’t quite say.”  Then Mr. Prosper drew himself up, remembering that it would not become him to discuss the matter of his marriage with the father of his heir.

“I have come over here,” said Mr. Annesley, “to say a few words about Harry.”  Mr. Prosper again drew himself up.  “Of course you’re aware that Harry is at present living with us.”  Here Mr. Prosper bowed.  “Of course, in his altered circumstances, it will not do that he shall be idle, and yet he does not like to take a final step without letting you know what it is.”  Here Mr. Prosper bowed twice.  “There is a gentleman of fortune going out to the United States on a mission which will probably occupy him for three or four years.  I am not exactly warranted in mentioning his name, but he has taken in hand a political project of much importance.”  Again Mr. Prosper bowed.  “Now he has offered Harry the place of private secretary, on condition that Harry will undertake to stay the entire term.  He is to have a salary of three hundred a year, and his travelling expenses will of course be paid for him.  If he goes, poor boy! he will in all probability remain in his new home and become a citizen of the United States.  Under these circumstances I have thought it best to step up and tell you in a friendly manner what his plans are.”  Then he had told his tale, and Mr. Prosper again bowed.