‘You have come to say good-bye, that an opportunity to—as you put it—beg for money. I am not sure of your having learnt yet the right disposal of money.’

‘I beg, my lord, to have two thousand pounds a year allowed me.’

‘Ten—and it’s a task to spend the sum on a single household—shall be alloted to your expenditure at Esslemont;—stables, bills, et caetera. You can entertain. My steward Leddings will undertake the management. You will not be troubled with payings.’

Her head acknowledged the graciousness.—‘I would have two thousand pounds and live where I please.’

‘Pardon me: the two, for a lady living where she pleases, exceeds the required amount.’

‘I will accept a smaller sum, my lord.’

‘Money!-it seems a singular demand when all supplies are furnished.’

‘I would have control of some money.’

‘You are thinking of charities.’

‘Not charities.’