"I am very well," she said. "I do not want any special taking out."
"But you have been confined to the house the whole week."
"Women are accustomed to that, and do not feel it as you would. However, I will walk with you if you'll take me."
"Of course I'll take you. And then we must settle our future plans. Have you fixed upon any day yet for returning? Of course, the longer you stay, the kinder you will be."
"I can do no good to any one by staying."
"You do good to me;—but I suppose I'm nobody. I wish I could tell what to do about this house. Dear, good old woman! I know she would have wished that I should keep it in my own hands, with some idea of living here at some future time;—but of course I never shall live here."
"Why not?"
"Would you like it yourself?"
"I am not Member of Parliament for Perivale, and should not be the leading person in the town. You would be a sort of king here; and then, some day, you will have your mother's property as well as your aunt's; and you would be near to your own tenants."
"But that does not answer my question. Could you bring yourself to live here,—even if it were your own?"