"Oh! how dreadful! how shocking! dearest Joyce; what can I do?"
"Nothing; but go and have your breakfast; mother hates having the things kept on the table."
"I have no patience with her," Piers said, wrathfully, as he closed the door of his den behind him and his sister; "I do verily believe she thinks she is going to be Lady Maythorne, I do indeed."
"Oh! Piers, impossible! she cannot be so foolish."
"My dear, it would be a long plumb-line to sound her folly, or his either."
"But he is in difficulties as to money; he came here because he wanted to get some out of his sister."
"Has Aunt Letitia any money?" Piers asked.
"Of course, she has her own income, and——"
"Will leave it all to Charlotte. Now do you see?"
"I see what you mean, but it must be prevented, it is too preposterous."