There was no time to ask Bicknell's advice; before an answer could arrive, they would be exposed to all the inconvenience, perhaps insult, which Mr. Nickie's procedure seemed to threaten. The subject appeared one to which all their canvassing had brought no solution, and at last Lady Eleanor said,--
"How thankful I am, Helen, that I never wrote to Lord Netherby; more than once, when our difficulties seemed to thicken, I half made up my mind to address him. How much would it add to my present distress of mind, if I had yielded to the impulse! The very thought is now intolerable."
"And I was so near it," ejaculated Lady Eleanor.
"Yes," said Helen, sharply; "our noble cousin's kindness would be a sore aggravation of our troubles."
"Worse than the mother, by Jove!" exclaimed Paul. "Oh dear! if I had a cousin a lord, maybe he'd not hear of me."
Lady Eleanor spoke again; but Paul could only catch a stray word here and there, and again she reverted to the necessity of leaving the cottage at once.
"Could we even see this Mr. Dempsey," said she, "he knows the country well, and might be able to suggest some fitting place for the moment, at least till we could decide on better."
Paul scarcely breathed, that he might catch every syllable.
"Yes," said Helen, eagerly, "he would be the very person to assist us; but, poor little man! he has his own troubles, too, at this moment."
"She's a kind creature," muttered Paul; "how fond I'm growing of her!"
"It is no time for the indulgence of scruples; otherwise, Helen, I 'd not place much reliance on the gentleman's taste."
"His good-nature, mamma, is the quality we stand most in need of, and I have a strong trust that he is not deficient there."
"What a situation to be placed in!" sighed Lady Eleanor: "that we should turn with a shudder from seeking protection where it is our due, and yet ask counsel and assistance from a man like this!"
"I feel no repugnance whatever to accepting such a favor from Mr. Dempsey, while I should deem it a great humiliation to be suitor to the Earl of Netherby."
"And yet he is our nearest relative living,--with vast wealth and influence, and I believe not indisposed towards us. I go too fast, perhaps," said she, scornfully; "his obligations to my own father were too great and too manifold, that I should say so."