’Oh, Dolly, it is impossible to make you understand.  A man is so different.  You can go just where you please, and do what you like.  And if you’re short of money, people will give you credit.  And you can live by yourself and all that sort of thing.  How should you like to be shut up down at Caversham all the season?’

‘I shouldn’t mind it,—­only for the governor.’

’You have got a property of your own.  Your fortune is made for you.  What is to become of me?’

‘You mean about marrying?’

‘I mean altogether,’ said the poor girl, unable to be quite as explicit with her brother, as she had been with her father, and mother, and sister.  ‘Of...