Tell my nephew, when you next write, that I thoroughly understand his falling in love with that gentle pretty creature at first sight." Carmina's illness was the ready excuse which presented itself in Mrs.
Gallilee's reply.

With or without an excuse, Lady Northlake was to be resolutely prevented from taking a foremost place in her niece's heart, and encouraging the idea of her niece's marriage.

Mrs.Gallilee felt almost pious enough to thank Heaven that her sister's palace in the Highlands was at one end of Great Britain, and her own marine villa at the other! The marine villa reminded her of the family migration to the sea-side.
When would it be desirable to leave London?
Not until her mind was relieved of the heavier anxieties that now weighed on it.

Not while events might happen--in connection with the threatening creditors or the contemplated marriage--which would baffle her latest calculations, and make her presence in London a matter of serious importance to her own interests.

Miss Minerva, again, was a new obstacle in the way.