'Too much money,too much land,the property is too large.'
'Too large to be divided, that is.'
Hazel turned off with a gesture of distressful impatiencethen faced her guardian again.
'Don't you see, Mr. Falkirk?' she said,'do you need to be told?
Mr. Rollo could not possibly be only my agent.'
'I do not see that he need. You are competent surely to spend your own money, in the way you like best.'
'Very competent!' said Hazel gravely. 'And to manage my estate. Then I will begin at once, if you please, Mr. Falkirk, and you can send up to-morrow all the deeds and leases and writings in your possession. It will be quite a nice little amusement for me.'
'Miss Hazel, you talk nonsense,' said her guardian. 'I cannot deliver up my charge, except in hands that will have absolute rule over it; unless I can secure a separate portion for you. The will makes him master, in the event of his marrying you.'
Hazel made no reply. The speech was full of words that she did not like. And Mr. Falkirk quitted the room.
If he had wished to render his ward uncomfortable, he had made a hit,stirring up thoughts and questions which had been ready enough before, only always held in check by the presence and influence that were stronger yet. But to-night she was heart-sore to begin with, and it had chafed her extremely that not all her pleading of the night before had carried a single point. The words "master," and "absolute control," came with particular jarring effect. She brought a foot-cushion to the front of the fire, there where she was in the dining-room; and rested her head upon her hands and thought.