"He held that a man with five thousand a year, if he were really a gentleman, would do his best not to allow it to be obvious to the man who only had five hundred that he had more than he had."
"There is something to be said for that point of view; on the other hand, there is a great deal to be said for the other side."
"No doubt. There is always a great deal to be said for the other side. I am only hinting at the one towards which I personally incline." Presently they were passing along an avenue of trees. "Where are we now?"
"We are on your property--this is the drive to the house."
"There seems to be a good deal of it."
"It is rather more than three miles long; there are lodge gates at either end; the house stands almost in the centre."
"It seems rather pretty."
"Pretty! Exham Park is one of the finest seats in the country. That is why your uncle purchased it."
After a while they came in sight of the house.
"Is that the house? It looks more like a palace. Fancy my living all alone in a place like that! Now I understand why a companion was an absolute necessity. It strikes me, Mrs Plummer, that you will want a companion as much as I shall. What shall we two lone, lorn women do in that magnificent abode?"