s possible," said John.

Here Mr. Lynch faltered a little. "She has got an idea into her head,
with the intention, I don't doubt, of defrauding herself if she can. He
has got some investment for it, it appears. He is on the board of some
company--a pretty board to take in such a fellow? But the Honourable is
always something, I suppose."

John did not say the _dis_-Honourable, though it trembled on the edge of
his tongue. "But you will not permit that?" he said.

"No, no; we will not permit it," said Mr. Lynch, with an emphasis on the
negative which sounded like failing resolution.

"That would be giving the lamb to the wolf with a vengeance."

"Exactly what I said; exactly what I said. I am very glad, Mr. Tatham,
that you take the same view."

"There is but one view to be taken," said John. "He must not have the
slightest power over her money. It must be tied up as tight as the law
can do it; not that I think it of the least consequence," he added. "Of
course, he will get it all from her one way or another. Law's but a poor
barrier against a determined man."

"I'm glad you see that too," said Mr. Lynch, "and you might say a
determined woman: for she has set her mind on this, and we'll have a
nice business with her, I can see."

"A bit of a girl!" said John, with a laugh, echoing the previous
sentiment.

"That's very true," said the old lawyer; "and still I think her
mother--but I don't put any great confidence in my own power to resist
Elinor. Poor little thing, I've known her since she was _that_ high;
indeed, I may say I knew her before she was born. And you are a
relation, Mr. Tatham?"

"Third or fourth cousin."

"But still, more intimate than a person unconnected with them, and able
to speak your mind more freely. I wonder now that you never said
anything. But in family matters sometimes one is very reluctant to
interfere."

"I said everything I could say, not to offend them mortally; but I could
only tell them the common talk of society. I told my aunt he was a
scamp: but after the first shock I am not sure that she thought that was
any such bad thing. It depended upon the sense you put upon the word,
she said."

"Oh, women, women!" said Mr. Lynch. "That's their way--a reformed rake
makes the best husband. It's an old-fashioned sentiment, but it's in the
background of their minds, a sort of tradition that they can't shake
off--or else the poor fellow has had so many disadvantages, and they
think