“But time enough has been taken now. You
see, Bernard, I am going to make a great sacrifice
of income on your behalf.”
“I am sure I am very grateful.”
“I have no children, and have therefore always
regarded you as my own. But there is no reason
why my brother Philip’s daughter should not
be as dear to me as my brother Orlando’s son.”
“Of course not, sir; or, rather, his two daughters.”
“You may leave that matter to me, Bernard.
The younger girl is going to marry this friend of
yours, and as he has a sufficient income to support
a wife, I think that my sister-in-law has good reason
to be satisfied by the match. She will not be
expected to give up any part of her small income,
as she must have done had Lily married a poor man.”
“I suppose she could hardly give up much.”
“People must be guided by circumstances.
I am not disposed to put myself in the place of a
parent to them both. There is no reason why I
should, and I will not encourage false hopes.
If I knew that this matter between you and Bell was
arranged, I should have reason to feel satisfied with
what I was doing.” From all which Bernard
began to perceive that poor Crosbie’s expectations
in the matter of money would not probably receive
much gratification. But he also perceived—or
thought that he perceived—a kind of threat
in this warning from his uncle. “I have
promised you eight hundred a year with your wife,”
the warning seemed to say. “But if you do
not at once accept it, or let me feel that it will
be accepted, it may be well for me to change my mind—especially
as this other niece is about to be married. If
I am to give you so large a fortune with Bell, I need
do nothing for Lily. But if you do not choose
to take Bell and the fortune, why then—”
And so on. It was thus that Bernard read his
uncle’s caution, as they walked together on the
broad gravel path.
“I have no desire to postpone the matter any
longer,” said Bernard. “I will propose
to Bell at once, if you wish it.”
“If your mind be quite made up, I cannot see
why you should delay it.”
And then, having thus arranged that matter, they received
their future relative with kind smiles and soft words.
The Beginning of Troubles
Lily, as she parted with her lover in the garden,
had required of him to attend upon her the next morning
as he went to his shooting, and in obedience to this
command he appeared on Mrs Dale’s lawn after
breakfast, accompanied by Bernard and two dogs.
The men had guns in their hands, and were got up with
all proper sporting appurtenances, but it so turned
out that they did not reach the stubble-fields on
the farther side of the road until after luncheon.
And may it not be fairly doubted whether croquet is
not as good as shooting when a man is in love?
