"But the wretch shan't starve," said Kate. "My money, small as it is, will carry him over this bout. I have told him that he shall have it, and that I expect him to spend it. Moreover, I have no doubt that Aunt Greenow would lend me what he wants."
"But I should not wish him to borrow from Aunt Greenow. She would advance him the money, as you say, upon stamped paper, and then talk of it."
"He shall have mine," said Kate.
"And who are you?" said Alice, laughing. "You are not going to be his wife?"
"He shall not touch your money till you are his wife," said Kate, very seriously. "I wish you would consent to change your mind about this stupid tedious year, and then you might do as you pleased. I have no doubt such a settlement might be made as to the property here, when my grandfather hears of it, as would make you ultimately safe."
"And do you think I care to be ultimately safe, as you call it? Kate, my dear, you do not understand me."
"I suppose not. And yet I thought that I had known something about you."
"It is because I do not care for the safety of which you speak that I am now going to become your brother's wife. Do you suppose that I do not see that I must run much risk?"
"You prefer the excitement of London to the tranquillity, may I say, of Cambridgeshire."
"Exactly;—and therefore I have told George that he shall have my money whenever he wants it."