“He is, then—Mr. John Temple—who, of course, is now Mr. Temple’s successor.”
“Is he coming so quickly to take my darling’s place!” cried Mrs. Temple, with a sudden flash of indignation. “But what matter, what matter!”
“It is a matter, my dear, and it is about this that I wish to speak to you. When you married, the Hall was not included in your settlement, as I now see that it ought to have been, but—we could not foresee your sad loss. Now this young man will succeed Mr. Temple, but he ought not to have the Hall in your lifetime. That must be secured to you, and before this young man arrives I think Mr. Temple ought to be spoken to on the subject, and I should advise you to exert yourself, my dear, and prevent young Mr. Temple gaining an undue influence over your husband.”
Mrs. Temple fixed her large dark eyes on her mother’s face.
“What are you talking of?” she said.
“I am telling you, my dear Rachel, only you do not seem to attend to what I am saying, that this young man is coming, who is now your husband’s heir, and naturally he will try to obtain power over his uncle, which you should not allow. And, as I told you before, this house is not settled on you, therefore—”
“Be silent, mother, be silent!” cried Mrs. Temple with strong indignation, lifting up her hands. “What, when my darling’s not gone from it yet—when he is still under the roof—you talk of such things! You always were a wicked, worldly woman, but this is too much—too much!”
Her tone and manner frightened Mrs. Layton. “I only meant, my dear—” she began.
“Go away, leave me alone!” went on Mrs. Temple, and Mrs. Layton thought it best to go.
“She has no common sense,” she reflected as she went back to the vicarage. “However, I have done my duty, and whatever happens I am not to blame.”