"I'm quiet. I don't want Uncle Harvey to be ugly," Mittie said, in an injured tone.
"Oh, of course the estate was entailed," Francesca observed, not noticing the by-play. "Still, one fancies the old gentleman would have taken care of her future, if he were so devoted to her as you have thought."
"He has not."
"And she is dependent on you?"
"At present—in a measure."
"How does she like that?"
"She does not seem to know it yet."
"You did not tell her?"
"That was not exactly my business."
"I should think the kindest plan would have been to speak out."