Though there had been the closest possible intimacy between the
Duchess and Mrs Finn, this had hardly been so as to the
intercourse between Mrs Finn and the children. Of Mrs Finn it must
be acknowledged that she was, perhaps fastidiously, afraid of
appearing to take advantage of her friendship with the Duke's
family. She would tell herself that though circumstances had
compelled her to be the closest and nearest friend of a Duchess,
still her natural place was not among dukes and their children,
and therefore in her intercourse with the girl she did not at
first assume the manner and bearing which her position in the
house would seem to warrant. Hence the 'Lady Mary'.

'Why does he want to send me away, Mrs Finn?'

'It is not true that he wants to send you away, but that he thinks
it will be better for you to be with some friend. Here you must be
so much alone.'

'Why don't you stay? But I suppose Mr Finn wants you to be back
in London.'

'It is not that only, or, to speak the truth, not that at all. Mr
Finn could come here if that were suitable. Or for a week or two
he might do very well without me. But there are other reasons.
There is no one whom your mother respected more than Lady
Cantrip.'

'I never heard her speak a word about Lady Cantrip.'

'Both he and she are your father's intimate friends.'