The cheque was, of course, Lilia’s, who was extremely generous, and was quite willing to know anybody so long as she had not to live with them, relations-in-law being on her nerves.  She liked nothing better than finding out some obscure and distant connection—­there were several of them—­and acting the lady bountiful, leaving behind her bewilderment, and too often discontent.  Gino wondered how it was that all his people, who had formerly seemed so pleasant, had suddenly become plaintive and disagreeable.  He put it down to his lady wife’s magnificence, in comparison with which all seemed common.  Her money flew apace, in spite of the cheap living.  She was even richer than he expected; and he remembered with shame how he had once regretted his inability to accept the thousand lire that Philip Herriton offered him in exchange for her.  It would have been a shortsighted bargain.

Lilia enjoyed settling into the house, with nothing to do except give orders to smiling workpeople, and a devoted husband as interpreter.  She wrote a jaunty account of her happiness to Mrs. Herriton, and Harriet answered the letter, saying (1) that all future communications should be addressed to the solicitors; (2) would Lilia return an inlaid box which Harriet had lent her—­but not given—­to keep handkerchiefs and collars in?

“Look what I am giving up to live with you!” she said to Gino, never omitting to lay stress on her condescension.  He took her to mean the inlaid box, and said that she need not give it up at all.

“Silly fellow, no!  I mean the life.  Those Herritons are very well connected.  They lead Sawston society.  But what do I care, so long as I have my silly fellow!” She always treated him as a boy, which he was, and as a fool, which he was not, thinking herself so immeasurably superior to him that she neglected opportunity after opportunity of establishing her rule.  He was good-looking and indolent; therefore he must be stupid.  He was poor; therefore he would never dare to criticize his benefactress.  He was passionately in love with her; therefore she could do exactly as she liked.

“It mayn’t be heaven below,” she thought, “but it’s better than Charles.”

And all the time the boy was watching her, and growing up.

She was reminded of Charles by a disagreeable letter from the solicitors, bidding her disgorge a large sum of money for Irma, in accordance with her late husband’s will.  It was just like Charles’s suspicious nature to have provided against a second marriage.  Gino was equally indignant, and between them they composed a stinging reply, which had no effect.  He then said that Irma had better come out and live with them.  “The air is good, so is the food; she will be happy here, and we shall not have to part with the money.”  But Lilia had not the courage even to suggest this to the Herritons, and an unexpected terror seized her at the thought of Irma or any English child being educated at Monteriano.