'What?' he broke in. 'You knew of it! You set her on, I suppose.'
'Oh! no, no, father. She and Mr. Bulfinch began about it, not meaning me to hear—about a will, I mean—and I told them I wasn't going to have you worried, and I thought I had stopped it altogether.'
'Stop a woman bent on her duty? Hein! But you are a good girl, and shall come to no loss when we have to make your marriage settlement.'
'You won't have to do that, father!'
'Hein! What do you keep that poor fellow Clarence Fane dangling in attendance on you for?'
'I don't! I'm sure I don't want him. I would do anything to keep him at a distance!'
'How now! I thought your Grace condescended to him more than to any one else.'
'I don't dislike him unless he has that in his head; but as to marrying him! Oh—h—h,' such a note of horror that elicited a little laugh.
'So hot against him, are we? Who is it then? Not the umbrella fellow?'
'Father! how can you?' she cried, with a burning flush of indignation. He—why—he! He has always been a sort of uncle, ever since I was a little girl.'