“I think that this is a little dismal, dear,” said Lady Graves, speaking across the white expanse of cloth, when the butler had served the dessert and gone.
“Yes,” answered Henry; “it reminds me of South Africa, where the natives talk to each other across the kloofs. Suppose that we go into the study, we sha’n’t want a speaking trumpet there.”
His mother nodded in assent, and they adjourned, Henry taking a decanter of wine with him.
“I think that it went off very well,” she said presently, when he had made up the fire.
“Oh, yes, I suppose so. You don’t mind my smoking, do you, mother?”
“I know that you didn’t like the marriage, Henry,” she went on, “nor do I altogether, for Edward is not well, quite the class of man that I should have selected. But different people have different tastes, and I think that he will suit Ellen admirably. You see, she will rule him, and she could never have got on with a man who tried to be her master; also he is rich, and wealth is necessary to her comfort. I shall be very much surprised if she does not make a great success of her marriage.”
“Ellen would make a success of anything, mother—even of Edward Milward. I have a great admiration for Ellen, but somehow I do not envy my brother-in-law his bargain, though he has married a lady, which, strictly speaking, is more than he deserves. However, I dare say that he will find his place.”
“I have no doubt that they will settle it to their mutual satisfaction, dear; and, to look at the matter from another point of view, it certainly is a relief to me to know that your sister is removed out of reach of our troubles here.” And she sighed. “It has been a great struggle, Henry, to keep up appearances so far, and I was in constant fear lest something awful should happen before the marriage. One way and another, difficulties have been staved off; indeed, the fact that Ellen was going to become the wife of such a rich man—for he is very rich—has helped us a great deal. But now the money is done; I doubt if there is a hundred pounds to go on with, and what is to happen I am sure I do not know.”
Henry puffed at his pipe, staring into the fire, and made no answer.
“I scarcely like to ask you, dear,” Lady Graves went on presently, “but have you in any way considered the matter of which we spoke together after your father’s funeral?”