'In your papa's condition, my dear, the coming of any one will annoy
him. At least, he will say so; though I do not in the least doubt that
he will like the excitement better even than you will.'

'I can't say there will be much excitement to me.'

'No excitement in a young man's coming into the house! Without shocking
your propriety, allow me to say that that is impossible. Of course, he
is coming to see whether he can't make matters all right by marrying
you.'

'That's nonsense, Mrs Askerton.'

'Very well. Let it be nonsense. But why shouldn't he? It's just what he
ought to do. He hasn't got a wife; and, as far as I know, you haven't
got a lover.'

'I certainly have not got a lover.'

'Our religious nephew at Perivale does not seem to be of any use.'

'I wish, Mrs Askerton, you would not speak of Captain Aylmer in that
way. I don't know any man whom I like so much, or at any rate better,
than Captain Aylmer; but I hate the idea that no girl can become
acquainted with an unmarried man without having her name mentioned with
his, and having to hear ill-natured remarks of that kind.'

'I hope you will learn to like this other man much better. Think how
nice it will be to be mistress of the old place after all. And then to