Albinia looked up for explanation.
‘While he intrusts his sisters to my justice, he tacitly commends to me the works which you wished to see accomplished.’
‘The almshouses! The improvements! Do you mean to undertake them?’
‘It shall be my most sacred duty.’
‘Oh! that we could have planned it with him!’
‘Perhaps I value this the more from the certainty that it is spontaneous,’ said Mr. Kendal. ‘It showed great consideration and forethought, that he said nothing of his intention to me. Had he mentioned it, I should have thought it right to suggest his leaving his sisters their share; and yet, as we are situated with young Dusautoy, it would have been awkward to have interfered. He did well and wisely to be silent.’
‘You don’t expect Algernon to be discontented. Impossible, at such a time, and so well off as he is!’
‘I wish it may be impossible.’
‘What do you mean, to do?’
‘As far as I can see at present, I shall do this. I fear neither the mode of acquisition nor the management of that property was such as to bring a blessing, and I believe my poor boy has made it over to me in order to free his sisters from the necessity of winking at oppression and iniquity. Had it gone to them, matters must have been let alone till Sophia came of age, and even then, all improvements must have depended on Algernon’s consent. The land and houses we will keep, and sufficient ready money for the building and repairs; and to this, Sophia, at least, will gladly agree. The rest—something under twenty thousand, if I remember correctly—is the girls’ right. I will settle Lucy’s share on her so as to be out of her husband’s power, and Sophia shall have hers when she comes of age.’