Lionel Dale's death doubles Douglas
Dale's income. A husband with ten thousand a year would suit me very
well indeed. And why should I not win Douglas as easily as I won
Lionel?"
"Because you are not likely to have the same opportunities."
"I have asked Douglas to visit us in London."
"An invitation which must be very flattering to him, but which he may
or may not accept. However, my dear Lydia, I have the most profound
respect for your courage and perseverance; and if you can win a husband
with ten thousand a year instead of five, so much the better for you,
and so much the better for me, as I shall have a richer brother-in-law
to whom to apply when I find myself in difficulties."
The carriage had reached Frimley by this time. The brother and sister
took their places in the coach which was to convey them to London.
Lydia drew down her veil, and settled herself comfortably in a corner
of the vehicle, where she slept through the tedium of the journey.
At thirty years of age a woman of Miss Graham's character is apt to be
studiously careful of her beauty; and Lydia felt that she needed much
repose after the fever and excitement of her visit to Hallgrove
Rectory.
* * * * *
Sir Reginald Eversleigh played his part well during the few days in
which he remained at the rectory. No mourner could have seemed more
sincere than he, and everybody agreed that the spendthrift baronet
exhibited an unaffected sorrow for his cousin's fate, which proved him
to be a very noble-hearted fellow, in spite of all the dark stories
that had been told of his youth.
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