manage that," said Aunt Fanny; "I half hinted you did n't like the
companionship for the girls."

"He'll invite Mrs. Leicester White, or Lady Janet, perhaps."

"He sha'n't. I 'll take the whole upon myself."

"You _have_ done it, I see," said Frobisher, coming close to Cashel,
and affecting to examine his watch-guard; "and I warned you,
notwithstanding."

"What could I do?" said Cashel, hopelessly.

"What you must do later on," said Lord Charles, coolly; "cut the whole
concern altogether."

"Have you invited the Dean, Mr. Cashel?" interposed Mrs. Kennyfeck.

"I really cannot inform you, madam. There has been so much
confusion--Linton promising to do everything, and ask everybody; but the
omission--if such--"

"Should be left where it is," muttered Frobisher.

"How long should we probably be on the voyage, Mr. Cashel?" asked Miss
O'Hara.

"Three--four--or five days--perhaps more."

"I 'll give you a month's sail, and back 'Time' after all," said Lord
Charles.

"Oh, that is out of the question; we couldn't think of such an
excursion," said Aunt Fanny.

Olivia cast a most imploring look on her aunt, and was silent.

"Another point, Mr. Cashel," said Miss O'Hara, speaking in a very low
whisper; "my sister, who is so particular about her girls,--you know how
they have been brought up, so rigidly, and so carefully,--she is afraid
of that kind of intimacy that might possibly grow up between them
and--and--" Here she came to a full stop. "Did n't I hear you speak of
Lady Kilgoff?"

"Yes; I thought her exactly the kind of person you 'd like to have."

"Oh, she is charming--most delightful; but she is a woman of the world,
Mr. Cashel." said Aunt Fanny, shaking her head.

"Indeed!" muttered Roland, not in the least guessing the drift of the
remark.

"No, no, Mr. Cashel, that would never do. These sweet children have
no knowledge of such people, further than the common intercourse of
society. Lady Kilgoff and Mrs. White--"

"Is she another?"

"She is another, Mr. Cashel," said Aunt Fanny oracularly.

"Then I see nothing for it but limiting the party to myself and my yacht
commander,--Lieutenant Sickleton of the Navy,--and I believe we have as
little of the world about us as any one could desire."

It was full a minute or two before Miss O'Hara could satisfy herself
that this speech was not uttered ironically; but the good-natured and
frank look of the speaker at last dispelled the fear, and she said,--