Leigh uttered a sigh of relief.
“But if I had dared I could have told her what a coward you are, and how ashamed I am of you.”
“For not playing the part of a contemptible schemer, Sis?”
“Who wants you to, sir? Why, money has nothing to do with it. Now, answer me this, Pierce. If she were only Miss Wilton without a penny, wouldn’t you propose for her at once?”
“No, Sis; I would not.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“No, I wouldn’t be so contemptible as to take such a step when I am little better than a pauper.”
“Boo! What nonsense. You a pauper! An educated gentleman, acknowledged to be talented in his profession. But I know you’d marry her to-morrow and turn your poor little sister out of doors if you had an income. Bother incomes and money! It’s all horrid, and causes all the misery there is in the world. Pierce, you shan’t run away from here and leave the poor girl to be married to that wretched boy.”
“Jenny, dear, be serious. I really must get away from here as soon as I can.”
“Oh, Pierce! Don’t talk about it, dear. It is only to make yourself miserable through these silly ideas of honour; and it is to make me wretched, too, just when I am so well and so happy, and all that nasty London cough gone. I declare if you take me away I’ll pine away and die.”