"He has offered you a thousand pounds."
"A thousand pounds, for the labours of a whole life! And what assurance shall I have of that? I don't suppose he has ever dreamed of putting it into his will. And if he has, what will a thousand pounds do for me? You can go to Slocombe Abbey. But the rectory, which was as good as promised, will be closed against me." The Marchioness knew that this was a falsehood, but did not dare to tell him so. The living had been talked about between them till it was assumed that he had a right to it. "If the young man were out of the way," he continued, "there would be some chance for me."
"I cannot put him out of the way," said the Marchioness.
"And some chance for Lord Frederic and his brothers."
"You need not tell me of that, Mr. Greenwood."
"But one has to look the truth in the face. It is for your sake that I have been anxious,—rather than my own. You must own that." She would not own anything of the kind. "I suppose there was no doubt about the first marriage?"
"None at all," said the Marchioness, terrified.
"Though it was thought very odd at the time. It ought to be looked to, I think. No stone ought to be left unturned."
"There is nothing to be hoped for in that direction, Mr. Greenwood."
"It ought to be looked to;—that's all. Only think what it will be if he marries, and has a son before anything is—is settled."