`` I have come to ask a favour of you , '' she said , looking him in the eye , not at all humbly or meekly , as became a suppliant , but challengingly and defiantly , as if she dared him to refuse . `` DE-lighted to hear it , Cousin Margaret . '' Never was anything so bland and gracious as his tone . `` Anything I can do for you I shall be only too pleased to do . I am afraid you have looked upon me as an enemy , Margaret , and I assure you I have felt your injustice keenly . I realize that some appearances were against me , but -- '' The Old Lady lifted her hand and stemmed his eloquence by that one gesture . `` I did not come here to discuss that matter , '' she said . `` We will not refer to the past , if you please . I came to ask a favour , not for myself , but for a very dear young friend of mine -- a Miss Gray , who has a remarkably fine voice which she wishes to have trained . She is poor , so I came to ask you if you would give her one of your musical scholarships . I understand her name has already been suggested to you , with a recommendation from her teacher . I do not know what he has said of her voice , but I do know he could hardly overrate it . If you send her abroad for training , you will not make any mistake . '' The Old Lady stopped talking . She felt sure Andrew Cameron would grant her request , but she did hope he would grant it rather rudely or unwillingly . She could accept the favour so much more easily if it were flung to her like a bone to a dog . But not a bit of it . Andrew Cameron was suaver than ever . Nothing could give him greater pleasure than to grant his dear Cousin Margaret 's request -- he only wished it involved more trouble on his part . Her little protege should have her musical education assuredly -- she should go abroad next year -- and he was DE-lighted -- `` Thank you , '' said the Old Lady , cutting him short again .
`` I am much obliged to you -- and I ask you not to let Miss XXXXX know anything of my interference .
Cameron Gray Lady Margaret education favour recommendation scholarships tone year