It was exactly what every one was thinking, but it seemed to have fresh
force when it struck the milder and slower imagination, and Lady Temple,
seeing that her observation told upon those around her, became more
impressed with its weight.
"It really is dreadful to have sent those little girls there without any
one knowing what anybody does to them," she repeated.
"It makes even Alick come out in a new character," said the Colonel,
turning round on him.
"Why," returned Alick, "my sister had so much to do with letting the
young lady in for the scrape, that it is just as well to try to get her
out of it. In fact, I think we have all sat with our hands before us
in a shamefully cool manner, till we are all accountable for the
humbuggery."
"When it comes to your reproaching us with coolness, Captain Keith, the
matter becomes serious," returned Colin.
"It does become serious," was the answer; "it is hard that a person
without any natural adviser should have been allowed to run headlong, by
force of her own best qualities, into the hands of a sharper. I do
not see how a man of any proper feeling, can stand by without doing
something to prevent the predicament from becoming any worse."
"If you can," said Colonel Keith.
"I verily believe," said Alick, turning round upon him, "that the worse
it is for her, the more you enjoy it!"
"Quite true," said Ermine in her mischievous way; "it is a true case of
man's detestation of clever women! Look here, Alick, we will not have
him here at the great ordeal of the woodcuts. You and I are much more
candid and unprejudiced people, and shall manage her much better."
"I have no desire to be present," returned the Colonel; "I have no
satisfaction in seeing my friend Alick baffled. I shall see how they
both appear at luncheon afterwards."
"How will that be?" asked Fanny, anxiously.
"The lady will be sententious and glorious, and will recommend the F. U.
E. E. more than ever, and Alick will cover the downfall of his crest by
double-edged assents to all her propositions."
"You will not have that pleasure," said Alick. "I only go to dinner
there."
"At any rate," said the Colonel, "supposing your test takes effect by
some extraordinary chance, don't take any further steps without letting
me know."
The inference was drawn that he expected great results, but he continued
to laugh at Alick's expectations of producing any effect on the Clever
Woman, and the debate of the woodcuts was adjourned to the Monday.
In good time, Rachel made her appearance in Miss Williams's little
sitting-room. "I am ready to submit to any test that Captain Keith may
require to confute himself," she said to Ermine; "and I do so the more
readily that with all his mocking language, there is a genuine candour
and honesty beneath that would be quite worth convincing. I believe that
if once persuaded of the injustice of his suspicions he would in
the reaction become a fervent supporter of Mr. Mauleverer and of the
institution; and though I should prefer carrying on our work entirely
through women, yet this interest would be so good a thing for him, that
I should by no means reject his assistance."