'I thought it was what you wished,' he said, with something in his tone as near mutiny as he dared venture.

'I understood that your ladyship desired to overtake him and reason with him.' 'But with the girl here ?' she muttered.

And yet it was true.

Before she had seen this girl, she had fancied the task of turning her son to be well within her powers.

Now she gravely doubted the issue; nay, was inclined to think all lost if the pair met.