‘I must consider what is best for him.’
‘Yes, my Lord,’ impressively. ‘I am hoping to know what you mean to do for your dear brother’s dear orphans,’ and her handkerchief went up to her eyes.
‘I hope at any rate to give Herbert the education of a gentleman, and to send his sisters to good schools. How are they getting on?’
‘Dear Ida, she is that clever and superior that a master in music and French is all she would want. Besides, you know, she is that delicate. Connie is the bookish one; she is so eager about the examination that she will go on at her school; though I
would have taken her away from such a low place at once.’
‘It is a good school, and will have given her a good foundation. I must see what may be best for them.’
‘And, of course, you will put us in a situation becoming the family of your dear brother,’ she added, with another application of the handkerchief.
‘I mean to do what I can, you may be sure, but at present it is impossible to name any amount. I neither know what income is coming to me, nor what will be my expenses. I meant to come and see you as soon as there was anything explicit to tell you; but of course this first year there will be much less in hand than later.’
‘Well,’ she said, pouting, ‘I can put up with something less in the meantime, for of course your poor dear brother’s widow and children are your first consideration, and even a nobleman as a bachelor cannot have so many expenses.’
‘I shall not long continue a bachelor,’ was the answer, given with a sort of shy resolution.