Oh! don't trouble yourself, here it is."How are Clare and Gibson getting on? You despised my advice to help on that affair, but I really think a little match-making would be a very pleasant amusement now that you are shut up in the house; and I cannot conceive any marriage more suitable."You see, you have my lord's full approbation.But I must write, and tell him you have managed your own affairs without any interference of mine.
Now we'll just have a little medical talk, Mr Gibson, and then you and Clare shall finish your tete-a-tete.' They were neither of them quits as desirous of further conversation together as they had been before the passage out of Lord Cumnor's letter had been read aloud.Mr Gibson tried not to think about it, for he was aware that if he dwelt upon it, he might get to fancy all sorts of things, as to the conversation which had ended in his offer.But Lady Cumnor was imperious now, as always.'Come, no nonsense.I always made my girls go and have tete-a-tetes with the men who were to be their husbands, whether they would or no: there's a great deal to be talked over before every marriage, and you two are certainly old enough to be above affectation.Go away with you.' So there was nothing for it but for them to return to the library; Mrs Kirkpatrick pouting a little, and Mr Gibson feeling more like his own cool, sarcastic self, by many degrees, than he had done when last in that room.She began, half crying, - 'I cannot tell what poor Kirkpatrick would say if he knew what I have done.
He did so dislike the notion of second marriages, poor fellow.' 'Let us hope that he does not know, then; or that, if he does know, he is wiser - I mean, that he sees how second marriages may be most desirable and expedient in some cases.' Altogether, this second tete-a-tete , done to command, was not so satisfactory as the first; and Mr Gibson was quite alive to the necessity of proceeding on his round to see his patients before very much time had elapsed.'We shall shake down into uniformity before long, I've no doubt,' said he to himself, as he rode away.'It's hardly to be expected that our thoughts should run in the same groove all at once.Nor should I like it,' he added.
'It would be very flat and stagnant to have only an echo of one's own opinions from one's wife.Heigho! I must tell Molly about it: dear little woman, I wonder how she'll take it! It's done, in a great measure, for her good.'
