“About £100 a year was what Mr. Coke told mamma.”
“And, on an average, what does it cost living in this cottage as comfortably as you have been accustomed to do?”
“Poor papa used to reckon we spent £200 a year here.”
“No more, you are certain?”
“Quite.”
Again Lewis paused in deep thought, his brow resting on his hand. At length he said, suddenly—
“Yes, it no doubt can be done, and shall. Now, Rose, listen to me. While I live and can work, neither my mother nor you shall do anything for your own support, or leave the rank you have held in society. You shall retain this cottage, and live as you have been accustomed to do, and as befits the widow and daughter of him that is gone.”
“But, Lewis——”
“Rose, you do not know me. When I left England I was a boy: in years, perhaps, I am little else even yet; but circumstances have made me older than my years, and in mind and disposition I am a man, and a determined one. I feel strongly and deeply in regard to the position held by my mother and sister, and therefore on this point it is useless to oppose me.”
Rose looked steadily in his face, and saw that what he said was true; therefore, exercising an unusual degree of common sense for a woman, she held her tongue, and let a wilful man have his way.