'No. But Mr. Falkirk did go to Dr. Maryland; and urged that he should prevail with me, before I married you, to settle your fortuneor as much of it as possibleupon yourself. Dr. Maryland refused to urge me, and would do no more than represent to me Mr. Falkirk's wishes. So then Mr. Falkirk wrote to me himself, though as he said, with very little hope of doing any good. And I don't think he did any good'added Dane demurely.
'He did his best to vex me first.'
She stood looking down at the cheque book, her face a study of changing colours. No,this would have been done, though Mr. Falkirk had held his peace. 'Thank you!' she said, suddenly and softly.
'Thank me for what?' said Rollo gayly. 'For giving you back a little piece of your power, after you had lodged it all with me? How did Mr. Falkirk vex you?'
'I suppose really he wanted to vex you,' said Hazel. 'And he knew how to choose his words. Olaf'the soft intonation coming back again'you are very good! But what makes you think I want power?'
'Habit is said to be second nature.'
'Are you afraid of my missing what I used to have?'
'How should you miss it?' said he laughing. 'Are you less of a witch than you used to be?'
She shook her head thoughtfully. 'I do not quite know what I am.
Do you expect me to spend all this money wisely?'
'I shall never ask how you spend it, Wych. Only this I would say,spend it. We have far too much now to go on accumulating.'