"Which one?" asked Derrington, coolly.
"You have only Walter Vane."
"Excuse me, George Brendon, whether there is a marriage or not, is equally my grandson."
"I believe you admire him."
"Very much, and it is in my mind to acknowledge him as my heir."
"I thought as much after your sticking up for him the other day," said Mrs. Ward, furiously. "Now, look here, Lord Derrington. If Dorothy marries that Brendon creature I won't be able to do a thing with her--you know quite well I won't."
"That means you won't be able to handle my money through George after I am dead," said Derrington, grimly.
"You can put it that way if you like. But Walter shall be Dorothy's husband, I have made up my mind."
"Because he's a fool and putty in your hands."
"I shouldn't be vulgar if I were you," said Mrs. Ward, in a dignified manner, and quite forgetting that she had once used the same illustration herself in connection with Brendon. "But so long as George leaves Dorothy alone I shall say nothing."