that we may be spared long enough to make some provision for her, for,
of course, we must now curtail our expenses and lay by as much as we
can for her. Lastly, dear, we need not be anxious; because we trust
that God will provide for her should we not be enabled to do so. But
even were I sure that we should both be taken together, I would rather
leave her in His hands than accept money wrongfully obtained and
condone an abominable action. There is, too, another point from which
the matter should be looked at. You see this curious condition that
they propose, that the annuity shall be forfeited unless she marry
with their sanction. Why should they propose such a condition?"

"I am sure I don't know, James; for of course, we should never give
our sanction to her marriage unless we approved of her choice, and
surely the Miss Penfolds would not disapprove of a choice that we
approved of?"

"Well, they might, my dear. You know how bitterly they disliked Ralph
Conway, and how they resented his being at the Hall. It is quite
possible they may have had some idea of Herbert's views about him and
Mabel, and are determined that he shall not benefit through Mabel by
one penny of their brother's property; and this clause is specially
designed so that in case the two young people ever should come
together they may be able if not to stop it--at any rate to stop the
annuity. That is the only interpretation I can give to this
condition."

"Very likely that is so James. Really these women seem to get more
detestable every day."

Mr. Withers smiled at his wife's vehemence. "There is still another
reason why we cannot take the money. Ralph Conway has been as much
defrauded as Mabel, and his mother, as you see by her letters, is
determined not to sit down quietly under the wrong. What she means to
do I have not the slightest idea, nor do I think that there is the
most remote probability she will ever succeed in finding the will.
Tallboys appears to have made a most thorough search of the house, and
do what she will she cannot have any opportunity of searching as he
has done. Still she clearly has something on her mind. She intends to
make some attempt or other to discover the will, which, if found, will
benefit Mabel equally with her son. Therefore we cannot but regard her
as our friend and ally. Now, were we to accept the money for Mabel we
should in fact be acquiescing, not only in the wrong done to her but
in that done to Ralph. We