ng to its address, but nothing
can be done, don't you see? and be sure Sir Barnes Newcome will not be
the least agitated when I tell him its contents."

"I mean I am very glad you think my brother is not called upon to obey
Mrs. Newcome's wishes, because I need not think so hardly of him as I
was disposed to do," Miss Newcome said. "I showed him the paper this
morning, and he repelled it with scorn; and not kind words passed
between us, Mr. Luce, and unkind thoughts remained in my mind. But if
he, you think, is justified, it is I who have been in the wrong for
saying that he was self--for upbraiding him as I own I did."

"You called him selfish!--You had words with him! Such things have
happened before, my dear Miss Newcome, in the best-regulated families."

"But if he is not wrong, sir, holding his opinions, surely I should be
wrong, sir, with mine, not to do as my conscience tells me; and having
found this paper only yesterday at Newcome, in the library there, in one
of my grandmother's books, I consulted with this gentleman, the husband
of my dearest friend, Mrs. Pendennis--the most intimate friend of my
uncle and cousin Clive; and I wish, and I desire and insist, that my
share of what my poor father left us girls should be given to my cousin,
Mr. Clive Newcome, in accordance with my grandmother's dying wishes."

"My dear, you gave away your portion to your brothers and sisters ever
so long ago!" cried the lawyer.

"I desire, sir, that six thousand pounds may be given to my cousin,"
Miss Newcome said, blushing deeply. "My dear uncle, the best man in
the world, whom I love with all my heart, sir, is in the most dreadful
poverty. Do you know where he is, sir? My dear, kind, generous
uncle!"--and, kindling as she spoke, and with eyes beaming a bright
kindness, and flushing cheeks, and a voice that thrilled to the heart of
those two who heard her, Miss Newcome went on to tell of her uncle's and
cousin's misfortunes, and of her wish, under God, to relieve them. I see
before me now the figure of the noble girl as she speaks; the pleased
little old lawyer, bobbing his white head, looking up at her with his
twinkling eyes--patting his knees, patting his snuff-box--as he sits
before his tapes and his deeds, surrounded by a great background of tin
boxes.

"And I understand you want this money paid as coming from the family,
and not from Miss Newcome?" says Mr. Luce.

"Coming from the family--exactly," answers Miss Newco