human
Now, my dear young lady, he began, almost as soon as she was in the room,
gpt
I don't know what you mean.
human
Then I will endeavour to make myself clear. I believe you are engaged to be married.
gpt
You know I am.
human
Where, at the present moment, is Mr. Spencer?
gpt
He is on his way home from Cairo, where he has been staying with his aunt, Lady Jane Carruthers, who is ill.
human
Does he know what has happened?
gpt
I don't quite know where he is. When he last wrote he told me that he was going to take what he called an 'after-cure' in Italy --she smiled, as if at some thought of her own--
human
As things stand, that's some distance ahead. I believe that his father and mother, the Earl and Countess, are also absent. She nodded.
gpt
You say you don't know who was your father's man of business; then who is there to whom you feel yourself entitled to turn for the kind of assistance of which you stand in such imperative need, at once; certainly in the course of to-day?
human
There's Elaine.
gpt
You mean Miss Harding? It was his turn to smile.
human
I'm afraid she's not the kind of person I'm thinking of; though I do not for a moment doubt her cleverness. She suffers from one disqualification; she's not a man. What you want is a dependable, and thoroughly capable lawyer.
gpt
There's Mr. Nash.
human
Mr. Nash is, again, hardly the sort of person you're in want of. To begin with, he's too young, has too little experience; it was only the other day he qualified--with difficulty.
gpt
He has been qualified more than three years; he did a good many things for papa.
human
Yes, but what kind of things? Not the kind which will have to be done for you; and I happen to know that what he did he bungled.
gpt
I believe he's coming here to-day.
human
Have you sent for him?
gpt
I haven't; but Elaine came into my room this morning and asked if she should, and I believe she has.
human
Miss Harding sent for him? The doctor eyed her intently for a moment; then, turning, he went to the window and looked out; presently he spoke to her from there.
gpt
And do you propose to give Herbert Nash the run of your father's papers?
human
I don't know what I propose to do; I haven't thought about it at all; I want him to do what he can to help me; I don't feel as if I could do very much to help myself.
gpt
Is it any use my saying that I can give you the name of a well-known firm of family lawyers; and that you have only to send them a wire, and before the day is over you'll have one of the best men in England--in every sense--on the premises, making your interests his own?
human
Elaine seemed to think that Mr. Nash has only to glance through some of my father's papers to discover who my father's man of business really was, and that then all we shall have to do will be to communicate with him.
gpt
I see; there's something in that--Miss Harding has her wits about her. Do you know what time Mr. Nash is coming?
human
I don't--Elaine sent the message, if one was sent, and of that I'm not certain; anyhow I don't know what arrangements she has made.
gpt
Would you mind inquiring?
human
I'll ask her to come here, then you can inquire yourself.