“I believe the match is broken off. She wants to keep all her property to herself. Had she behaved generously, as she ought to have done, and settled a handsome sum on Charley, it would have been a famous thing for him, no doubt. But it never does to be dependent upon an imperious woman like Mrs. Calverley. So he is quite right, in my opinion, to beat a retreat while there is yet time.”
Lady Thicknesse seemed to take a different view of the matter.
“Pm sorry he has thrown away such a chance,” she remarked. “Has she a large income?”
“Four or five thousand a year, Charley tells me. Old Calverley was very rich, as you must be aware, and she has got all his money.”
“Not all, surely? Chetwynd and Mildred must have some of it.”
“Both are dependent upon her. Chetwynd has had a very bitter quarrel with her, and has only just made it up. I think he acted very wisely, since he is completely in her power.”
“What a singular position she is placed in!”
“Old Calverley must have been in his dotage to give it her.”
“She is still young and handsome?”
“Not many years older than Mildred, and quite as good-looking. I saw her at Sir Leycester's funeral, and was charmed with her. No doubt, she is very fascinating.”