“Mr Geoffrey, papa would never have said he was any one, unless it had been true.”
“I cast no doubt upon that. I tell you only of our wonder, our alarm. My mother thought she recognised something in him like her cousin. Aunt Anna from the first said no; but you will take these statements for what they are worth. Aunt Anna would naturally resist anything that threatened to interfere with her comfort. My mother, on the other hand, is easily persuaded. I, of course, could say nothing on one side or the other. The gentleman I saw had every appearance of being a gentleman, and a man of truth and honour----”
Milly gave him a grateful glance behind her sister--a glance of tender thanks which made his heart beat. As for Grace, she bowed her head with a sort of stately assent.
“He was to come back; but we heard no more of him, until I came here to this hotel, and was entirely puzzled, as you know. I saw you, and thought you were very kind to interest yourselves about a person whom you had never heard of. When I saw you yesterday at Hampstead, I thought again it was kindness merely--that you had heard of the man of whom I was in search----”
“You must have thought us very extraordinary to interfere.”
“I thought you,” he said somewhat incoherently;--“but it does not matter what I thought you. Circumstances make us, as you say, almost enemies, who might have been--who ought to have been, dear friends.”
They both looked at him with melting eyes. “Yes,” said Grace, with a beautiful flush of sympathy, “cousins, almost like brothers and sisters. And perhaps, that may be still!” she cried. “Listen, this is what we had made up our minds to----”
“Let me say out my say first,” he said with a not very cheerful smile. “You are strangers, and you are too young to know how to manage such a complicated case. If you are Crosthwaites, and my cousin Leonard’s daughters, it will be best for us in the long run, as well as for you, that it should be proved--that the question should be settled. And you cannot know of yourselves what is necessary. I have brought you the names of two good lawyers--respectable, honourable men, either of whom will advise you wisely.” He took out a piece of paper as he spoke and handed it to Grace. “With either of these you will be safe,” he said.