"
"When an unpalatable step has to be taken, the sooner it is set about,
the less will be the cost," remarked Mr. Yorke.
"Unpalatable! you may well say that. This will be the climax, will it
not, William?"
"Climax of what?"
"Of all the unpleasantness that has attended your engagement with Miss
Channing--"
"I beg your pardon, Lady Augusta," was the interruption of Mr. Yorke.
"No unpleasantness whatever has attended my engagement with Miss
Channing."
"I think so, for I consider her beneath you; and, therefore, that it is
nothing but unpleasant from beginning to end. The Channings are very
well in their way, but they are not equal to the Yorkes. You might make
this a pretext for giving her up."
Mr. Yorke laughed. "I think her all the more worthy of me. The only
question that is apt to arise within me is, whether I am worthy of her.
As we shall never agree upon this point, Lady Augusta, it may not be
worth while to discuss it. About the other thing? I believe she would
make an admirable governess for Caroline and Fanny, if you could obtain
her."
"Oh, I dare say she would do _that_. She is a lady, and has been well
educated. Would she want a large salary?"
"Forty guineas a year, to begin with."
Lady Augusta interrupted him with a scream. "I never could give half of
it! I am sure I never could. What with housekeeping expenses, and
milliners' bills, and visiting, and the boys everlastingly dragging
money out of me, I have scarcely anything to spare for education.
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