'I should not take that as a reason for thinking it impossible. But
Percy knows her far too well. No, it is only one of my aunt's fancies.
She has set her hopes on Theodora now; but it is of no use to talk of
it. I don't want to dwell on it. It is too pitiable to be angry about.
What are you reading?'

Violet was as glad to talk to him of her book as he was to lose the
thought of his vexatious conversation, which had been even more annoying
that he had chosen to tell her.

Mrs. Nesbit had taken occasion to speak of the reversion of an estate,
which she said she wished to go to augment the property of the title;
and now she should have no hesitation in bequeathing it to him, provided
she could see him, on his side, make such a connection as would be for
the consequence of the family.

John tried silence, but she drove him so hard that he was obliged to
reply that, since she had begun on the subject, he had only to say that
he should never marry; and, with thanks for her views, the disposal of
her property would make no difference to him.

She interrupted him by reproaches on a man of his age talking romantic
nonsense, and telling him that, for the sake of the family, it was his
duty to marry.

'With such health as mine,' replied John, quietly, 'I have long made up
my mind that, even if I could enter on a fresh attachment, it would not
be right. I am not likely to live many years, and I wish to form no new
ties. You will oblige me, ma'am, by not bringing forward this subject
again.'

'Ay, I know what you are intending. You think it will come to Arthur and
his wife; but I tell you what, Mr. Martindale, no attorney's daughter
shall ever touch a sixpence of mine.'

'That is as you please, ma'am. It was not to speak of these matters that
I came here; and if you have told me all you wish with regard to the
property, I will leave the papers for your signature.'

She was above all provoked by his complete indifference to the wealth,
her chief consideration throughout her life, and could not cease from
reproaching him with absurd disregard to his own interest, at which
he very nearly smiled. Then she revived old accusations, made in the
earlier days of her persecution about his engagement, that he was
careless of the consequence and reputation of the family, and had all
his life been trying to lower it in the eyes of the world; otherwise
why had he set himself to patronize that wife of Arthur's, or why bring
Percy Fo