lia, of course, would live in a style to which she could
make no pretence.

Mrs. Clavering, who was present, as was also Lady Ongar, declared that
she saw no such difficulty. "Sisters together," she said, "need hardly
think of a difference in such matters."

Then it was that Lady Ongar first spoke to either of them of her
half-formed resolution about her money, and then too, for the first
time, did she come down altogether from that high horse on which she had
been, as it were, compelled to mount herself while in Mrs. Clavering's
presence. "I think I must explain," said she, "something of what I mean
to do--about my money, that is. I do not think that there will be much
difference between me and Hermy in that respect."

"That is nonsense," said her sister, fretfully.

"There will be a difference in income, certainly," said Mrs. Clavering,
"but I do not see that that need create any uncomfortable feeling."

"Only one doesn't like to be dependent," said Hermione.

"You shall not be asked to give up any of your independence," said
Julia, with a smile--a melancholy smile, that gave but little sign of
pleasantness within. Then, on a sudden, her face became stern and hard.
"The fact is," she said, "I do not intend to keep Lord Ongar's money."

"Not to keep your income!" said Hermione.

"No; I will give it back to them--or at least the greater part of it.
Why should I keep it?"

"It is your own," said Mrs. Clavering.

"Yes, legally it is my own. I know that. And when there was some
question whether it should not be disputed, I would have fought for it
to the last shilling. Somebody--I suppose it was the lawyer--wanted to
keep from me the place in Surrey. I told them that then I would not
abandon my right to an inch of it. But they yielded, and now I have
given them back the house."

"You have given it back!" said her sister.

"Yes; I have said they may have it. It is of no use to me. I hate the
place."

"You have been very generous," said Mrs. Clavering.

"But that will not affect your income," said Hermione.

"No, that would not affect my income." Then she paused, not knowing how
to go on with the story of her purpose.

"If I may say so, Lady Ongar," said Mrs. Clavering, "I would not, if I
were you, take any steps in so important a matter without advice."

"Who is there that can advise me? Of course the lawyer tells me that I
ought to keep it all. It is his business to give such advice as that.
But what d