 may have left
yesterday. I heard she had taken a situation as governess; she may be gone to it
for what I know. But if you wanted to see her no doubt the mother would send for
her back.« This sneer slipped off his tongue without strict intention.
    »Send Hutchins to inquire whether she will be there to-morrow.«
    Lush did not move. Like many persons who have thought over beforehand what
they shall say in given cases, he was impelled by an unexpected irritation to
say some of those prearranged things before the cases were given. Grandcourt, in
fact, was likely to get into a scrape so tremendous, that it was impossible to
let him take the first step towards it without remonstrance. Lush retained
enough caution to use a tone of rational friendliness; still he felt his own
value to his patron, and was prepared to be daring.
    »It would be as well for you to remember, Grandcourt, that you are coming
under closer fire now. There can be none of the ordinary flirting done, which
may mean everything or nothing. You must make up your mind whether you wish to
be accepted; and more than that, how you would like being refused. Either one or
the other. You can't be philandering after her again for six weeks.«
    Grandcourt said nothing, but pressed the newspaper down on his knees and
began to light another cigar. Lush took this as a sign that he was willing to
listen, and was the more bent on using the opportunity; he wanted if possible to
find out which would be the more potent cause of hesitation - probable
acceptance or probable refusal.
    »Everything has a more serious look now than it had before. There is her
family to be provided for. You could not let your wife's mother live in beggary.
It will be a confoundedly hampering affair. Marriage will pin you down in a way
you haven't been used to; and in point of money you have not too much
elbow-room. And after all, what will you get by it? You are master over your
estates, present or future, as far as choosing your heir goes; it's a pity to go
on encumbering them for a mere whim, which you may repent of in a twelvemonth. I
should be sorry to see you making a mess of your life in that way. If there were
anything solid to be gained by the marriage, that would be a different affair.«
    Lush's tone had gradually become more and more unctuous in its friendliness
of remonstrance,
