"If that is your final answer," he said, "I can say nothing more. Perhaps the day will come when you will understand me better. In the meantime, I shall be glad to hear whether you have any plans which I can assist you in carrying out."
"None in which I require your assistance," said Mrs. Luttrell, stonily. "I have my jointure; I can live upon that. I will leave Netherglen to you. I will take a cottage for myself—and Angela."
"And Angela?"
"Angela remains with me. You may remember that she has no home, except with friends who are not always as kind to her as they might be. Her brother is not a wealthy man, and has no house of his own. Under these circumstances, and considering what she has lost, it would be mere justice if I offered her a home. Henceforth she is my daughter."
"You have asked her to stay, and she has consented?"
"I have."
"And you thought—you think—of taking a home for yourselves?"
"Yes."
"I suppose you do not object," said Brian, slowly, "to the gossip to which such a step on your part is sure to give rise?"
"I have not considered the matter. Gossip will not touch me."