"What madness! You are so young, you will marry, and your husband has a right to expect a large proportion of your fortune."
"There it is again," cried Toney. "I won't marry; but if I did, why should he expect my money? If I'm not worth loving without, then—oh, I'm glad I shall never, never marry—and if I give this away it will save a lot of people the trouble of asking me for it."
"It's madness, utter foolishness," cried the lawyer, rising and pacing about the room; "sheer, downright madness! I won't be a party to it."
Toney turned pale. Would no one help her? Would no one understand that to give this away was real happiness, that she could never bear the burden alone, and that by keeping it she was a temptation to every man who required money?
"I think the General would understand, Mr. Staines, and so would Uncle Evas."
"Though you are your own mistress, I must consult your uncle."
Toney shook her head.
"It's no use—— He wouldn't like to go slap against you! Old family lawyers are such tyrants."
Mr. Staines looked furious.
"Tyrants, indeed! But for us half the owners of money would commit endless follies such as you wish to do, Miss Whitburn!"