'I mean to do what I can, you may be sure, but at present it is
impossible to name any amount. I neither know what income is coming to
me, nor what will be my expenses. I meant to come and see you as soon as
there was anything explicit to tell you; but of course this first year
there will be much less in hand than later.'

'Well,' she said, pouting, 'I can put up with something less in the
meantime, for of course your poor dear brother's widow and children are
your first consideration, and even a nobleman as a bachelor cannot have
so many expenses.'

'I shall not long continue a bachelor,' was the answer, given with a sort
of shy resolution.

'Now, Lord Northmoor! You don't mean to say that you intend to go on
with that ridiculous affair; when, if you marry at all, it ought to be
one who will bring something handsome into the family.'

'Once for all, Emma, I will hear no more on that subject. A twenty
years' engagement is not lightly to be broken.'

'A wretched little teacher,' she began, but she was cut short.

'Remember, I will hear no more of this, and' (nothing but despair of
other means could have inspired him) 'it is for your own interest to
abstain from insulting my future wife and myself by such remonstrances.'

Even then she muttered, 'Very hard! Not even good-looking.'

'That is as one may think,' said he, mentally contrasting the flaunting,
hardened complexion before him with the sweet countenance he had never
perceived to be pinched or faded; and as he heard something between a
scornful sniff and a sob, he added, 'I am wanted in the office, so, if
you have no more to say of any consequence, I must leave you, and Hannah
shall give you some tea.'

'Oh, oh, that you should leave your poor brother's widow in this way!'
and she melted into tears and sobs.

'I can't help it, Emma,' he said, distressed and perplexed. 'They want
me about some business of Mr. Claughton's, and I can't keep them waiting.
These are office hours, you know. Have some tea, and I will come to you
again.'

But Mrs. Emma swallowed her sobs as soon as he was gone, and instead of
waiting for the tea, set forth for Miss Lang's. On asking for Miss
Marshall she was shown into the drawing-room, where, after she had waited
a few minutes, nursing her wrath to keep it warm, the small figure
appeared, whom she had no hesitation in accosting thus--

'Now, Miss Marshall, do I understand that you are resolved to attempt
thrusting