I
have come to you for help."
"A private trouble, Mr. Finn! Is it serious?"
"It is very serious,--but it is no trouble of the kind of which you
are thinking. But it is serious enough to take up every thought."
"Can I help you?"
"Indeed you can. Whether you will or no is a different thing."
"I would help you in anything in my power, Mr. Finn. Do you not know
it?"
"You have been very kind to me!"
"And so would Mr. Kennedy."
"Mr. Kennedy cannot help me here."
"What is it, Mr. Finn?"
"I suppose I may as well tell you at once,--in plain language, I do
not know how to put my story into words that shall fit it. I love
Violet Effingham. Will you help me to win her to be my wife?"
"You love Violet Effingham!" said Lady Laura. And as she spoke the
look of her countenance towards him was so changed that he became at
once aware that from her no assistance might be expected. His eyes
were not opened in any degree to the second reason above given for
Lady Laura's opposition to his wishes, but he instantly perceived
that she would still cling to that destination of Violet's hand which
had for years past been the favourite scheme of her life. "Have you
not always known, Mr. Finn, what have been our hopes for Violet?"
Phineas, though he had perceived his mistake, felt that he must go
on with his cause.
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