“This is a rather important one,” explained the lawyer. “She prefers not to accept the income you proposed [to settle on her.”]
The Earl started visibly.
“What’s that?” he cried out. “What’s that?”
Mr. Havisham repeated his words.
“She says it is not necessary, and that as the relations between you are not friendly——”
“Not friendly!” [ejaculated] my lord savagely; “I should say they were not friendly! I hate to think of her! A mercenary American! I don’t wish to see her!”
“My lord,” said Mr. Havisham, “you can scarcely call her mercenary. She has asked for nothing. She does not accept the money you offer her.”
“All done for effect!” [snapped] his noble lordship. “She thinks I shall admire her spirit. I don’t admire it! It’s only American independence! I won’t have her living like a beggar at my park gates. She shall have the money, whether she likes it or not!”
“She won’t spend it,” said Mr. Havisham.
“I don’t care whether she spends it or not!” [blustered my lord.] “She shall have it sent to her. She wants to give the boy a bad opinion of me! I suppose she has poisoned his mind against me already!”