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"You hate Wyncham? There was a time--"
"I know, I know! But I never meant to live here always like this! I wantto go to London!"
"I thought you said you were going?"
"Yes, I am! But I want to go with someone who is gay-not--not--"
"In fact, you want distraction, and not with the amiable Richard? Well,I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, mydear, but not exciting."
"I knew you would understand! You see, he does not like me to play atcards, because I cannot stop! And he cannot see how 'tis that I carenought for what he calls 'home-life' when there are routs, and the play,and _real_ life. He--he is so--so--so _staid,_ Tracy, and careful!"
"A good trait in a husband, Lavinia," replied his Grace cynically. "'Tisbecause I do not possess it that I am single now."
Her lips curled scornfully at this, for well she knew her brother.
"No, Tracy, that is not so! It is because you are a devil! No womanwould marry you!"
"That is most interesting, my dear," purred his Grace. "But pray striveto be a little more original. Continue your analysis of Richard'ssterling character."
"'Tis only that we are so different," she sighed. "I always desire to dothings quickly--if I think of something, I want it at once--at once! Youknow, Tracy! And he likes to wait and think on it, and--oh, 'tis sotiresome, and it puts me in a bad humour, and I behave like a hystericalbourgeoise!" She got up swiftly, clasping her nervous little hands."When he speaks to me in that gentle, reasoning way, I could scream,Tracy! Do you think I am mad?" She laughed unmusically.
"No," he replied, "but the next thing to it: a Belmanoir. Perhaps it wasa pity you ever married Richard. But there is always the money."
"There is not," she cried out sharply.
"Not? What mean you?"
"Tracy, 'tis of this that I wanted to speak! You think my lord left hismoney to Dick?"
"Certainly. He should be stupendously wealthy."
"He is not!"
"But, my good girl, the revenue must be enormous. He has the land,surely?"
"No! No! He has not the land! Oh, but I am angry whenever I think on it!He induced my lord to leave it to John. _He_ has but his younger son'sportion!"
"I still fail to understand. You informed me that the Earl left all toRichard?"
"He changed his will, Tracy!"
"He--changed--his--will! Then, my dear, must you have played your cardsvery badly!"
"'Twas not my fault, Tracy--indeed 'twas not! I knew nought until thewill was read. Richard never spoke a word to me about it! And now we arecomparatively poor!" Her voice trembled with indignation, but his Graceonly whistled beneath his breath.
"I always knew, of course, that Dick was a fool, but I never guessed howmuch so till now!"
At that she flared up.
"He is not a fool! He is an honest man, and 'tis we_--we_, I tellyou--who are mean and despicable and mercenary!"
"Undoubtedly, Lavinia, but pray do not excite yourself over it. Isuppose he is still devoted to that young hothead?"
"Yes, yes--'tis all Jack, Jack, Jack, until I am sick to death of thesound of his name--and--" She broke off, biting her lip.
"And what?"
"Oh, nought! But 'tis all so disagreeable, Tracy!"
