"Oh, dear no. I had rather a large fortune of my own, and there was a time in which he was, perhaps, a little in want of money. But they had to build a town on his property in Staffordshire, and you see that did instead."
"Did instead!" said Lady George, altogether in the dark.
"There was suddenly a great increase to his income, and, of course, that altered his view. I am bound to say that he was very explicit. He could be so without suffering himself, or understanding that any one else would suffer. I tell you because you are one of the family, and would, no doubt, hear it all some day through Adelaide. I had a great escape."
"And he a great misfortune," said Mary civilly.
"I think he had, to tell you the truth. I am good-tempered, long-suffering, and have a certain grain of sagacity that might have been useful to him. Have you heard about this Italian lady?"
"Only that she is an Italian lady."
"He is about my age. If I remember rightly there is hardly a month or two between us. She is three or four years older."
"You knew her then?"
"I knew of her. I have been curious enough to enquire, which is, I dare say, more than any body has done at Manor Cross."
"And is she so old?"