ho addresses a person partly imbecile.

'This sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, Miss Nancarrow, is not--you
follow me?--is not to be given to you at once--you grasp that?--I am
trustee for the money; that means--attend, please--it lies in my hands
until the time and the occasion comes for--mind--for giving it to you.
You understand so far?'

'I shouldn't mind a harder word now and then, sir, if it makes it
easier for you.'

Mr. Barlow examined her, but Totty's face was very placid. She cast
down her eyes, and watched her toes tapping together.

'Well, well; I think you follow me. Now the conditions are these. The
money is payable to you--payable, you see--on your marriage.'

'Oh!'

'I beg you not to interrupt me. Is payable to you on your marriage, and
then--now pray attend--_not_ unless you obtain the approval of myself
and of Mr. Higgins--unless you obtain _our_ approval of the man you
propose to marry.'

'Oh!'

'You have understood, I hope?'

'I shall marry who I like, sir,' observed Totty, quietly.

Mr. Barlow looked at her with surprise.

'My dear Miss Nancarrow, nobody ever said you shouldn't. It isn't a
question of your marrying, but of two hundred and fifty pounds.'

'I don't see what it's got to do with anybody who I choose to marry.'

'Jusso, jusso! nothing could be truer. It's only a question of two
hundred and fifty pounds.'

Totty was about to make another indignant remark, but she checked
herself. Her toes were tapping together very rapidly; she watched them
for half a minute, then asked:

'And suppose I don't choose to marry anybody at all?'

'I see you are capable of following these things,' said Mr. Barlow,
smiling. 'If you reach the age of five-and-twenty without marrying, the
money goes to another purpose, of which it is not necessary to speak.'

'Oh! I don't see why my uncle bothered himself so much about me
marrying.'

'No doubt your late uncle had some good reason for these provisions,
Miss Nancarrow,' said the other, gravely. 'We should speak respectfully
of those who are no more. It seems to me your late uncle took very kind
thought for you.'

Totty considered that, but neither assented nor differed.

'Will you tell me,' she asked after a silence, speaking with a good
deal of hauteur, 'what sort of a man you'd approve of?'

'With pleasure, Miss Nancarrow; with very great pleasure. Mr. Higgins
and me have thought over the subject, have given it our best attention.
We