There
must be a soft spot to be found about the heart of an old lawyer
who spent his mornings in such occupation. 'How do you do, sir?'
said Mr Wharton rising from his seat. 'I hope you are well,
sir.' Though he had been reading a novel his tone and manner
were very cold. Lopez had never been in Stone Buildings before,
and was not quite sure that he might not have committed some
offence in coming there. 'Take a seat, Mr Lopez. Is there
anything I can do for you in my way?'
There was a great deal that could be done 'in his way' as father,
--but how was it to be introduced and the case made clear? Lopez
did not know whether the old man had as yet ever suspected such a
feeling as that which he now intended to declare. He had been
intimate at the house at Manchester Square, and had certainly
ingratiated himself very closely with a certain Mrs Roby, who had
been Mr Wharton's sister and constant companion, who lived in
Berkeley Street, close round the corner from Manchester Square,
and spent very much of her time with Emily Wharton. They were
together daily, as though Mrs Roby had assumed the part of a
second mother, and Lopez was well aware that Mrs Roby knew of his
love. If there was a real confidence between Mrs Roby and the
old man, the old lawyer knew about it also;--but as to that
Lopez felt that he was in the dark.
The task of speaking to an old father is not unpleasant when the
lover knows that he has been smiled upon, and, in fact, approved
for the last six months.
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