“Yes,” he said steadily. “You must know, Kitty—you must realize, however painful it may be—that George has spoken only the truth. Your whole dependance is upon my uncle; were he to die, leaving you unwed, unbetrothed to one of us, your situation must be desperate indeed. I hesitate to wound you, but I must tell you that, the world being what it is, a respectable marriage is hard to achieve for a dowerless and orphaned female. What could you do to maintain yourself, if left alone upon the world? George has spoken of such a position as that held by Miss Fishguard, but surely without reflection! Miss Fishguard is an excellent woman, but she is lacking in such accomplishments as a governess, seeking employment in the first circles, is today expected to impart to her pupils. Her knowledge is not profound; her performance upon the pianoforte is not superior; she has no skill with Water Colours; little mastery over the French tongue; none at all over the Italian.”
She turned her face away, a blush of mortification spreading over her cheeks. “You mean that I am lacking in accomplishments.”
“Since my uncle neglected to provide masters to supply the deficiencies of your education, it must necessarily be so,” he replied calmly. “You know, my dear Kitty, how often I have recommended you to pursue your studies, even though you have left the schoolroom.”
“Yes,” acknowledged Kitty, without enthusiasm.
“It would afford me much pleasure to be able to direct your studies, and to read with you,” he said. “I believe I may say that I am accounted a good scholar, and I am very sure that to guide the taste and to enlarge the knowledge of so intelligent a pupil as you, dear cousin, must be an agreeable task.”
Lord Biddenden, who had been listening to his brother’s measured speeches in growing disapprobation, could no longer contain his impatience. “Well, really, Hugh!” he ejaculated. “A fine offer to be making the poor girl, I must say! Enough to set her against marriage with you from the outset!”
“Kitty understands me,” Hugh said, rather haughtily.
“Well, yes, I think I do,” said Kitty. “And George is perfectly right! I should dislike excessively to be turned into a scholar, and I cannot feel, Hugh, that I am at all the kind of girl you should marry. And now I come to think of it, I daresay there is one way in which I could earn my bread! I could seek a post as housekeeper. That is something in which I need no instruction. I have had the management of this house ever since I was sixteen, and able to relieve poor Fish of duties for which she is quite unsuited! I expect anyone would be very happy to employ me, too, because if there is one thing I know all about it is the strictest economy!”
“Now, Kitty, don’t talk nonsense!” begged Lord Biddenden testily.
The Rector made a silencing gesture with one shapely hand. “If your youth, Kitty, did not render you ineligible for such a post, your birth and your breeding most assuredly do. I hardly think, moreover, that you would find it congenial.”