This latter was, of course, an issue of
supreme importance. A very little observation convinced Joseph that
his daughter had learned to regard Sidney as more than a friend;
whether there existed any mutual understanding between them he could
only discover by direct inquiry, and for the present it seemed wiser
to make no reference to the subject. He preserved the attitude of
one who has forfeited his natural rights, and only seeks with
humility the chance of proving that he is a reformed character. Was,
or was not, Kirkwood aware of the old man's wealth? That too must be
left uncertain, though it was more than probable he had seen the
advertisement in the newspapers, and, like Mrs. Peckover, had based
conclusions thereupon. Another possibility was, that Kirkwood had
wormed himself into Michael's complete confidence. From Joseph's
point of view, subtle machinations were naturally attributed to the
young man--whose appearance proved him anything but a commonplace
person. The situation was full of obscurities and dangers. From
Scawthorne Joseph received an assurance that the whole of the
Australian property had been capitalised and placed in English
investments; also, that the income was regularly drawn and in some
way disposed of; the manner of such disposal being kept private
between old Mr.
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