'But surely, aunt, you have friends. There is Lord Twiseldown—there is Sir Jasper Dehorsey.'
'I cannot stoop to ask, and who would lend me thousands—not even money-lenders now, for there is nothing left in the shape of land to borrow on. Wilmothurst will become the property of this upstart farmer's son out and out. Jerry will have to give up everything but his commission, and go to India no doubt. Fortunately he has that resource left him; but I—I shall no longer be able to maintain even you, Emily.'
Lady Wilmot's emotions of annoyance and anger at Mr. Chevenix and the whole situation took the form of making her niece smart, while in reality she had no very genuine fear of such an awful crisis coming about, thinking that heaven or fate, or something or other, would never permit a person of her position to be so heavily visited.
'And what shall I do, auntie?' asked the young lady, plaintively, but with surprise.
'You may have to go out into the world as a governess or companion.'
'Governess or companion! while Bella Chevenix——'
'Will reign here as heiress of Wilmothurst,' said Lady Julia, with the first approach to expression on her lineless face—a bitter and scornful smile.
'Oh, it is hard—very hard!'
'Very hard for me,' added Lady Julia, who like most of her class thought chiefly of 'number one.'
'She will make some good marriage,' said Emily, after a pause.