To check the further growth of a friendship of this sort (without openly offending Miss Minerva) was an imperative duty.

Mrs.Gallilee saw her way to the discreet accomplishment of that object.

Her niece and her governess were interested--diversely interested--in Ovid.

If she invited them both together, to consult with her on the delicate subject of her son, there would be every chance of exciting some difference of opinion, sufficiently irritating to begin the process of estrangement, by keeping them apart when they had left the tea-table.
"It is most important that there should be no misunderstanding among us," Mrs.Gallilee proceeded.

"Let me set the example of speaking without reserve.