Class distinctions he believed in like some old feudal lord. He endeavoured to imbue Aveline with the same notions as himself, and it must be admitted that to a considerable extent he succeeded.
The time soon came when, so far from feeling annoyed with him when he was riding his favourite hobby, she coincided with him in his views.
Mr. Chicknell did not attempt to interfere. He saw pretty clearly his client’s course of action, and let him carry it out after his own fashion.
“My grandchild will not leave me, Chicknell,” said the earl to his lawyer. “I feel assured of that.”
“Not leave you? Not return to her husband, my lord?”
“Well, not at present.”
“Ah, that’s another matter. Not at present perhaps, but what causes you to arrive at such a conclusion?”
“I will tell you; her master passion is vanity. She is good in every sense of the word as far as I can judge, but she has more vanity than affection.”
“My lord, I trust not.”
“Do you? then I think you will be disappointed. I have known women—women of our own race too—who would have laughed all wealth to scorn, who would have sacrificed anything, given up their lives, for their love—women of noble nature who would have trampled all the allurements of wealth under foot, but Aveline is of a lighter nature. I have made a study of her character. Her master passion is vanity.”