(She sighs, and is silent.)
Louisa (takes her mother’s hand). What is the matter, dear mother? You used to say, that seeing my brother always made you feel ten years younger; yet even while he was here, you had, in spite of all your efforts to conceal them, those sudden fits of sadness.
Mrs. Talb. The Montem—is not it to-morrow? Ay, but my boy is not sure of being captain.
Louisa. No; there is one Wheeler, who, as he says, is most likely to be chosen captain. He has taken prodigious pains to flatter and win over many to his interest. My brother does not so much care about it; he is not avaricious.
Mrs. Talb. I love your generous spirit and his! but, alas! my dear, people may live to want, and wish for money, without being avaricious. I would not say a word to Talbot; full of spirits as he was this morning, I would not say a word to him, till after the Montem, of what has happened.
Louisa. And what has happened, dear mother? Sit down,—you tremble.
Mrs. Talb. (sits down and puts a letter into Louisa’s hand.) Read that, love. A messenger brought me that from town a few hours ago.
Louisa (reads). “By an express from Portsmouth, we hear the Bombay Castle East Indiaman is lost, with all your fortune on board.” All! I hope there is something left for you to live upon.
Mrs. Talb. About 150 pounds a year for us all.
Louisa. That is enough, is it not, for you?