If Gordon Graham found her a burden now, how much greater burden would
she be to him then! As the cruel years stole by, and brought her no
triumph, no success, her temper grew more imperious, while the quarrels
which marred the harmony of the brother and sister's affection became
more frequent and more violent.
Beyond this one all-sufficient reason, Gordon Graham had his own
selfish motives for seeking to secure his sister a rich husband. The
purse of a wealthy brother-in-law must, of course, be always more or
less open to himself; and he was not the man to refrain from obtaining
all he could from such a source.
In Lionel Dale he saw a man who would be the easy victim of a woman's
fascinations, the generous dupe of an adventurer. Lionel Dale was,
therefore, the prize which Lydia should try to win.
The brother and sister were in the habit of talking to each other very
plainly.
"Now, Lydia," said the captain, after he had read Lionel Dale's letter
for the young lady's benefit, "it will be your fault if you do not come
back from Hallgrove the affianced wife of this man. There was a time
when you might have tried for heavier stakes; but at thirty, a husband
with five thousand a year is not to be sneezed at."
"You need not be so fond of reminding me of my age," Lydia returned
with a look of anger. "You seem to forget that you are five years my
senior.
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