“I'll answer the question frankly,” replied Chetwynd. “She has. My father, as you may be aware, made an extraordinary will, and it was the strange disposition of his property that caused the quarrel between myself and my step-mother. You talk of my sister's fortune. Properly speaking, she has none. She has a handsome allowance from Mrs. Calverley, who always declares she will give her a portion of thirty thousand pounds on her marriage.”
“Provided she approves of her choice—is not that a condition?” said the captain.
“Yes; but it means nothing.”
“Pardon me. I think it means a great deal. It might cause a match to be broken off.”
“It might, certainly, if acted upon. But Mrs. Calverley is very much attached to my sister, and will never oppose her choice. At least I fancy not.”
“I have reason to believe otherwise, my dear Chetwynd. She has already given me a pretty strong hint!”
“Have you said anything to her about Mildred?”
“No; but she has spoken to me, and has clearly intimated that I am not the man of her choice. Were I to be accepted, depend upon it, Mildred would have no portion.”
“You think so?”
“I'm sure of it. Can you help me?”