Page 267 - The snake's pass

A TRIP TO PARIS. 255
would not be any gossip at her absence, and I was to tell
one or two of my own connexions—for I had no imme-
diate relatives—and perhaps one or two friends who were
rather more closely connected with me than those of my
own blood. I asked to be allowed to tell also my solici-
tor, who was an old friend of my father's, and who had
always had more than merely professional relations with
me. I had reasons of my own for telling him of the pur-
posed change in my life, for I had important matters to
execute through him, so as to protect Norah's future in
case my own death should occur before the marriage was
to take place. But of this, of course, I did not tell
her.
We had a happy morning together, and when Joyce
came in we told him of the conclusion we had arrived
at. He fully acquiesced ; and then, when he and I were
alone, I asked him if he would prefer to make the arrange-
ments about the schools himself or by some solicitor he
would name, or that should all be done by my solicitor ?
He told me that my London solicitor would probably
know what to do better than anyone in his own part of
the world ; and we agreed that I was to arrange it with
him.
Accordingly I settled with Norah that the next day
but one I should leave for London, and that when I had
put everything on a satisfactory footing I should return
to Carnaclif, and so be for a little longer able to see
my darling. Then I went back to the hotel to write
my letters in time for post.