’That’s all very fine, my dear, but a man has to think of himself, you know.’
’Of course he thinks of himself. Why shouldn’t he? I dare say he thinks of himself more than I do.’
’Dorothy, don’t be a fool. A good husband isn’t to be caught every day.’
‘Aunt Stanbury, I don’t want to catch any man.’
‘Dorothy, don’t be a fool.’
’I must say it. I don’t suppose Mr Gibson thinks of me the least in the world.’
‘Psha! I tell you he does.’
’But as for mamma and Priscilla, I never could like anybody for a moment who would be ashamed of them.’
She was most anxious to declare that, as far as she knew herself and her own wishes at present, she entertained no partiality for Mr Gibson, no feeling which could become partiality even if Mr Gibson was to declare himself willing to accept her mother and her sister with herself. But she did not dare to say so. There was an instinct within her which made it almost impossible to her to express an objection to a suitor before the suitor had declared himself to be one. She could speak out as touching her mother and her sister but as to her own feelings she could express neither assent or dissent.
‘I should like to have it settled soon,’ said Miss Stanbury, in a melancholy voice. Even to this Dorothy could make no reply. What did soon mean? Perhaps in the course of a year or two. ’If it could be arranged by the end of this week, it would be a great comfort to me.’ Dorothy almost fell off her chair, and was stricken altogether dumb. ’I told you, I think, that Brooke Burgess is coming here?’
‘You said he was to come some day.’
’He is to be here on Monday. I haven’t seen him for more than twelve years; and now he’s to be here next week! Dear, dear! When I think sometimes of all the hard words that have been spoken, and the harder thoughts that have been in people’s minds, I often regret that the money ever came to me at all. I could have done without it very well, very well.’
‘But all the unpleasantness is over now, aunt.’
’I don’t know about that. Unpleasantness of that kind is apt to rankle long. But I wasn’t going to give up my rights. Nobody but a coward does that. They talked of going to law and trying the will, but they wouldn’t have got much by that. And then they abused me for two years. When they had done and got sick of it, I told them they should have it all back again as soon as I am dead. It won’t be long now. This Burgess is the elder nephew, and he shall have it all.’
‘Is not he grateful?’
’No. Why should he be grateful? I don’t do it for special love of him. I don’t want his gratitude; nor anybody’s gratitude. Look at Hugh. I did love him.’
‘I am grateful, Aunt Stanbury.’
’Are you, my dear? Then show it by being a good wife to Mr Gibson, and a happy wife. I want to get everything settled while Burgess is here. If he is to have it, why should I keep him out of it whilst I live? I wonder whether Mr Gibson would mind coming and living here, Dolly?’