"Well said, Margaret; though you are not young, there is no love lost between you, and we shall keep you to your word."
"With all my heart, provided Frederic thinks it right, for you know, poor dear boy, he was my first love; and I certainly have been saving for him these twenty years. I had rather give than leave, so, whatever I have that you think I can spare, take it at once. There is this convenience, it is all at hand, as one may say; and since here I was born, and here I hope to die, a very little will serve me, if you buy Judith an annuity."
"Well done, sister! Who says the heart grows cold as the man grows old?"
"But I am not a man, brother, you know."
"No, Margaretta, I could almost wish you were, for there would be a good man the more amongst us, and the world needs such. I think, if we enable Arthur to settle six hundred a year on her daughter, Lady Anne cannot grumble, since her own husband was only able to leave her and all her children less. But of her, in point of fact, I do not think; our business is to render Arthur happy, and place him in the situation his father would have desired to see him occupy. Frederic will furnish his house, and find a wedding present for his lady, and if, as he says, she will live near the coast, or at Leamington, or Bath, they will do very well."
"Or at Tunbridge Wells, brother, for then we can
