'He gives you a lodging in his house, and food enough, we'll hope. You won't see company or much of him.'
'I cannot exist without being loved. I do not care for company. He must love me a little.'
'He is one of the warm-hearted race—he's mother's brother; but where his heart is, I 've not discovered.
Bear with him just for the present, my dear, till I am able to support you.'
'I will,' she said.
The dreary vision of a home with an unloving uncle was not brightened by the alternative of her brother's having to support her. She spoke of money. 'Have we none, Chillon?'
'We have no debts,' he answered. 'We have a claim on the Government here for indemnification for property taken to build a fortress upon one of the passes into Italy. Father bought the land, thinking there would be a yield of ore thereabout; and they have seized it, rightly enough, but they dispute our claim for the valuation we put on it. A small sum they would consent to pay. It would be a very small sum, and I 'm father's son, I will have justice.'
'Yes!' Carthinia joined with him to show the same stout nature.
'We have nothing else except a bit to toss up for luck.'
'And how can I help being a burden on my brother?' she inquired, in distress.