“But I fail to understand why you should have come to discuss this matter with me.”
“When did Dudley die?”
“I can’t be sure as to the year. I think it was about a year after his father’s death.”
“I presume that his father’s injustice helped to hasten his end.”
“I won’t permit any reflections upon my dear uncle and benefactor. He did what he liked with his own. He felt that the estate would be better in my hands than in Dudley’s.”
“Admitting for a moment that this was so, did your heart prompt you to bestow a part of the estate on your unfortunate cousin?”
“No; for I am sure my uncle would have disapproved of such action on my part.”
“Do you know if he suffered much from poverty?”
“No; I did not concern myself with that, nor need you.”
“I would like to comment on one of your statements. You say that your uncle had a right to dispose of his estate as he pleased.”