You must do it as delicately as you will: but done it must be: it is our only chance.

Tell her of Tardrew's obstinacy, or Scoutbush will go by his opinion; and tell her to keep the secret from her sister." Frank did it, and well.

Valencia was horror-struck, and wrote.
Scoutbush was away at sea, nobody knew where; and a full fortnight elapsed before an answer came.
"My dear, you are quite mistaken if you think I can do anything.
Nine-tenths of the houses in Aberalva are not in my hands; but copyholds and long leases, over which I have no power.

If the people will complain to me of any given nuisance, I'll right it if I can; and if the doctor wants money, and sees any ways of laying it out well, he shall have what he wants, though I am very high in Queer Street just now, ma'am, having paid your bills before I left town, like a good brother: but I tell you again, I have no more power than you have, except over a few cottages, and Tardrew assured me, three weeks ago, that they were as comfortable as they ever had been." So Tardrew had forestalled Thurnall in writing to the Viscount.

Well, there was one more chance to be tried.
Tom gave his lecture in the school-room.