"Yes; legally it is my own. I know that. And when there was some question whether it should not be disputed I would have fought for it to the last shilling. Somebody,—I suppose it was the lawyer,—wanted to keep from me the place in Surrey. I told them then that I would not abandon my right to an inch of it. But they yielded,—and now I have given them back the house."
"You have given it back!" said her sister.
"Yes;—I have said they may have it. It is of no use to me. I hate the place."
"You have been very generous," said Mrs. Clavering.
"But that will not affect your income," said Hermione.
"No;—that would not affect my income." Then she paused, not knowing how to go on with the story of her purpose.
"If I may say so, Lady Ongar," said Mrs. Clavering, "I would not, if I were you, take any steps in so important a matter without advice."
"Who is there that can advise me? Of course the lawyer tells me that I ought to keep it all. It is his business to give such advice as that. But what does he know of what I feel? How can he understand me? How, indeed, can I expect that any one shall understand me?"
"But it is possible that people should misunderstand you," said Mrs. Clavering.
"Exactly. That is just what he says. But, Mrs. Clavering, I care nothing for that. I care nothing for what anybody says or thinks. What is it to me what they say?"