"At the same time you might just drop a hint to your wife, and to that remarkably clever young niece of hers, Miss Penelope Morse.

Of course, I don't expect that he would unbosom himself to any one, but, to tell you the truth, as we are situated now, the faintest hint as regards his inclinations, or lack of inclinations, towards certain things would be of immense service.

If he criticised any of our institutions, for instance, his remarks would be most interesting.

Then he has been spending several months in various capitals.

He would not be likely to tell any one his whole impressions of those few months, but a phrase, a word, even a gesture, to a clever woman might mean a great deal.