"He is. Clarence has been all over the world. He has fought everywhere--"
"So has Major Tidman. Do you advise me to marry him?"
"He would make you a better husband than Rupert, old as he is. That young Ainsleigh is a dreamer. He is on the point of losing his estates, yet he sits at Royabay doing nothing."
"He intends to do something, and save the estates."
"Never. He is not the sort of man to work. Olivia if you will take Chris Walker, or Clarence Burgh for your husband I shall leave you five hundred a year. If you refuse I give you nothing."
"I prefer nothing--and Rupert."
"Then you shall not have him. I'll ruin him first."
Olivia started. "You can't ruin him. You talk wildly."
"Oh do I," sneered Miss Wharf, "that shows you know little of me or of my business. Listen. I bought up a mortgage on the Royabay estate. It cost me money which I could ill afford to pay away. But I bought it so as to ruin the son of that woman Vane who took Markham from me. I always intended to buy the estate, or at least to drive Rupert from the place, but if you will give him up, I shall forego my revenge. Now what do you say?"
"Nothing," faltered Olivia, who had turned very pale. "I don't know what to say."