And I should suppose you would consider it to your advantage, as well as mine, that I should do so." "I have my own opinion on that point," said Keswick, "which it is not necessary to discuss at present.

If I were to assist you to an interview with Miss March it would be on the lady's account, not on yours or mine.
But apart from the fact that I do not know if she now desires an interview, I would not do anything that would offend or annoy Mr Brandon." "I don't ask that of you," said Croft, "but couldn't you use your influence with him to give me a fair chance with the lady?
That is all I ask, and, whether she accepts me or rejects me, I am sure everybody ought to be satisfied." Keswick smiled.

"You don't leave any margin for sentiment," he said, "but I suppose it is just as well to deal with this matter in a practical way.

I do not think, however, that any influence I can exert on Mr Brandon would induce him to allow you to address his niece if he is opposed to it, and I am sure he would have a very strange opinion of me if I attempted such a thing.

At present I do not see that I can help you at all, but I will think over the matter, and we will talk of it again." "Thank you," said Croft, rising.