her power, and she knows it. I must talk to my steward, there is nothing else for it; yet it vexes me to rob the dear girls' hoarded dowries for such a purpose as this."
The hoard to which Lord Rotheles alluded, and which it was greatly to his credit to have of late years contributed all that was in his power, was, as he believed, known only to himself and his man of business; but as the countess had discovered such an accumulation existed, she had of late been not a little curious on the subject, more especially since the alarming attack to which the earl had been nearly a victim suggested the idea that such another might be fatal, though for the present there appeared one of those positive renovations of life, usually denominated "a new lease." Lady Rotheles was really glad of this, for she well knew the fate of dowagers, and was by no means sorry to continue mistress of Rotheles castle. "But still," she argued, "there is no harm in a snug little legacy being added to one's income, and I do not see who he can with any propriety hoard for, save his wife. As to helping his sister, it would be childish, and her daughters will never need it, they will all marry well. Who can he, or ought he, to save for, save me?" Still, it was matter of doubt; therefore any thing in conversation which tended towards what is called "a miff" between the noble relatives, was, to
