"Ought such things to be put off?" asked Julia. "Harvey, please answer one question. Does Mr. Selwyn know what your uncle intended to do for Hermione?"
"If he does, my uncle's wishes are not binding on me. My position is altogether different from his."
"But—" and she looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "I am so disappointed," she breathed.
"There is no need for any kind of disappointment. Hermione shall have whatever is her due. Her due as a matter of kindness, I mean. That is the word I ought to have used. She simply has no rights."
The distinction seemed to Julia to be void of difference.
"Will you not consult Mr. Selwyn?" she asked with eagerness, as the idea came. "He is a very dependable man, is he not? I have heard you say so."
"Quite dependable, on any point of law. But this is no legal question, my dear. I am legally free. All I have to do is to act a brother's part to Hermione—which does not mean that I am to impoverish the estate."
"Would twenty thousand pounds impoverish the estate?"
"Given away in the lump? Yes, certainly."
"And yet, yet you said that. You meant it at the moment, did you not?" she inquired gravely. "There is one thing you have not answered, and I want so much to know. Will you not, please, tell me—does Mr. Selwyn know exactly what Mr. Dalrymple intended to do for Hermione? Did Mr. Dalrymple intend to leave Hermione twenty thousand pounds?"