“I have influential friends, Mr. Sherwin, in many directions—­there are appointments, good appointments, which would be open to me, if I pushed my interests.  I might provide in this way against the chance of failure.”

“Ah!—­well—­yes.  There’s something in that, certainly.”

“I can only assure you that my attachment to Miss Sherwin is not of a nature to be overcome by any pecuniary considerations.  I speak in all our interests, when I say that a private marriage gives us a chance for the future, as opportunities arise of gradually disclosing it.  My offer to you may be made under some disadvantages and difficulties, perhaps; for, with the exception of a very small independence, left me by my mother, I have no certain prospects.  But I really think my proposals have some compensating advantages to recommend them—­”

“Certainly! most decidedly so!  I am not insensible, my dear Sir, to the great advantage, and honour, and so forth.  But there is something so unusual about the whole affair.  What would be my feelings, if your father should not come round, and my dear girl was disowned by the family?  Well, well! that could hardly happen, I think, with her accomplishments and education, and manners too, so distinguished—­though perhaps I ought not to say so.  Her schooling alone was a hundred a-year, Sir, without including extras—­”

“I am sure, Mr. Sherwin—­”

“—­A school, Sir, where it was a rule to take in no thing lower than the daughter of a professional man—­they only waived the rule in my case—­the most genteel school, perhaps, in all London!  A drawing-room-deportment day once every week—­the girls taught how to enter a room and leave a room with dignity and ease—­a model of a carriage door and steps, in the back drawing-room, to practise the girls (with the footman of the establishment in attendance) in getting into a carriage and getting out again, in a lady-like manner!  No duchess has had a better education than my Margaret!—­”

“Permit me to assure you, Mr. Sherwin—­”

“And then, her knowledge of languages—­her French, and Italian, and German, not discontinued in holidays, or after she left school (she has only just left it); but all kept up and improved every evening, by the kind attention of Mr. Mannion—­”

“May I ask who Mr. Mannion is?” The tone in which I put this question, cooled his enthusiasm about his daughter’s education immediately.  He answered in his former tones, and with one of his former bows: 

“Mr. Mannion is my confidential clerk, Sir—­a most superior person, most highly talented, and well read, and all that.”

“Is he a young man?”

“Young!  Oh, dear no!  Mr. Mannion is forty, or a year or two more, if he’s a day—­an admirable man of business, as well as a great scholar.  He’s at Lyons now, buying silks for me.  When he comes back I shall be delighted to introduce—–­”

“I beg your pardon, but I think we are wandering away from the point, a little.”