Nora thought that they might probably now come before that time; but Mrs.Trevelyan declared that it was out of the question that they should do so.

She was sure that her father could not leave the islands except when he did so in obedience to official orders.

The expense of doing so would be ruinous to him.

And what good would he do?
In this way there was a great deal of family conversation, in which Colonel Osborne was able to take a part; but not a word was said about Mr.Trevelyan.
Nor did "the Colonel" find an opportunity of expressing a spark of that sentiment, for the purpose of expressing which he had made this journey to Devonshire.

It is not pleasant to make love in the presence of a third person, even when that love is all fair and above board; but it is quite impracticable to do so to a married lady, when that married lady's sister is present.