sentiment, there is no ground
between us: he has simply a sense wanting. 'What has all this to do with
Besworth?' I asked. 'A great deal more than you fancy,' was his answer.
He seemed to speak every word at me in capital letters. Then, as if a
little ashamed, he sat down, and reached out his hand to mine, and I saw
his eyes were moist. I drew my chair nearer to him. Now, whether I did
right or wrong in this, I do not know I leave it entirely to your
judgement. If you consider how I was placed, you will at all events
excuse me. What I did was--you know, the very farthest suspicion one has
of an extreme possibility one does not mind mentioning: I said 'Papa, if
it should so happen that money is the objection to Besworth, we will not
trouble you.' At this, I can only say that he behaved like an insane
person. He denounced me as wilfully insulting him that I might avoid one
subject."

"And what on earth can that be?" interposed Arabella.

"You may well ask. Could a genie have guessed that Mrs. Chump was at the
bottom of it all? The conclusion of the dreadful discussion is this, that
papa offers to take the purchase of Besworth into his consideration, if
we, as I said before, will receive Mrs. Chump as our honoured guest. I am
bound to say, poor dear old man, he spoke kindly, as he always does, and
kissed me, and offered to give me anything I might want. I came from him
stupefied. I have hardly got my senses about me yet."

The ladies caressed her, with grave looks; but neither of them showed a
perturbation of spirit like that which distressed Adela.

"Wilfrid's meaning is now explained," said Cornelia. "He is in league
with papa; or has given in his adhesion to papa's demands, at least. He
is another example of the constant tendency in men to be what they call
'practical' at the expense of honour and sincerity."

"I hope not," said Arabella. "In any case, that need not depress you so
seriously, darling."

She addressed Adela.

"Do you not see?" Adela cried, in response. "What! are you both blind to
the real significance of papa's words? I could not have believed it! Or
am I this time too acute? I pray to heaven it may be so!"

Both ladies desired her to be explicit; Arabella, eagerly; Cornelia with
distrust.

"The question of a widow marrying! What is this woman, whom papa wishes
to force on us as our guest? Why should he do that? Why should he evince
anxiety with regard to our opinion of the decency of widows co