“There’s the will,” said their father, pointing them to the paper.
The two women sat mute and immovable, they took no notice.
“Either you marry Hadrian, or he has everything,” said the father with satisfaction.
“Then let him have everything,” said Matilda boldly.
“He’s not! He’s not!” cried Emmie fiercely. “He’s not going to have it. The guttersnipe!”
An amused look came on her father’s face.
“You hear that, Hadrian,” he said.
“I didn’t offer to marry Cousin Matilda for the money,” said Hadrian, flushing and moving on his seat.
Matilda looked at him slowly, with her dark-blue, drugged eyes. He seemed a strange little monster to her.
“Why, you liar, you know you did,” cried Emmie.