"At least it has done wonders for my niece," he answered.
"Surely you have not come to drag her back into exile!"
Sir John smiled. It was evident that Barbara had not entered into an
explanation of her reasons for leaving the Abbey.
"No, I think she is in very good hands for the present. She appears to
have many admirers."
"Can you wonder at it? She is as pretty as a picture, and when such a
picture has an exceedingly heavy golden frame--"
"My dear Peggy, you hit the centre of the target with the first shaft.
For most of these admirers the frame is the chief attraction. In this
fact arises the difficulty of my guardianship."
"Barbara has spirit; you must not draw the rein too tightly or she will
kick over the traces," said Lady Bolsover.
"Exactly, and show herself a true Lanison," said Sir John. "I propose to
let the reins hang very loosely indeed. Let her have her own way. She
will find it so uninteresting not to meet with any opposition that she
will probably end in doing exactly as I wish."
"And to whom have you decided to marry her?"
Sir John held up his hand with his fingers apart.
"There are at least five to choose from," he said.
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