He had been intimate at the house in Manchester Square, and had certainly ingratiated himself very closely with a certain Mrs.Roby, who had been Mrs.Wharton's sister and constant companion, who lived in Berkeley Street, close round the corner from Manchester Square, and spent very much of her time with Emily Wharton.

They were together daily, as though Mrs.Roby had assumed the part of a second mother, and Lopez was well aware that Mrs.Roby knew of his love.

If there was real confidence between Mrs.Roby and the old lawyer, the old lawyer must know it also;--but as to that Lopez felt that he was in the dark.
The task of speaking to an old father is not unpleasant when the lover knows that he has been smiled upon, and, in fact, approved for the last six months.

He is going to be patted on the back, and made much of, and received into the family.

He is to be told that his Mary or his Augusta has been the best daughter in the world and will therefore certainly be the best wife, and he himself will probably on that special occasion be spoken of with unqualified praise,--and all will be pleasant.