“Who did she think should have it?” asked Mary.

“Ah;—­that I don’t know.  That he has never told me.  But she has had the wickedness to say,—­oh,—­such things of Reginald.  I knew all that before;—–­but that she should repeat them now, is terrible.  I suppose she wanted it for some of her own people.  But it was so horrible you know,—­when he was so ill!  Then he said that he should send for me, so that what is left of the family might be together.  After that she went away in anger.  Mrs. Hopkins says that she did not even see him the morning she left Bragton.”

“She was always high-tempered,” said Mary.

“And dictatorial beyond measure.  She nearly broke my poor dear father’s heart.  And then she left the house because he would not shut his doors against Reginald’s mother.  And now I hardly know what I am to do here, or what I must say to this young lady when she comes to-morrow.”

“Is she coming alone?”

“We don’t know.  She has a mother, Lady Augustus Trefoil, but whether Lady Augustus will accompany her daughter we have not heard.  Reginald says certainly not, or they would have told us so.  You have seen Reginald?”

“No, Lady Ushant.”

“You must see him.  He is here now.  Think what a difference it will make to him.”

“But Lady Ushant,—­is he so bad?”

“Dr. Fanning almost says that there is no hope.  This poor young woman that is coming;—­what am I to say to her?  He has made his will.  That was done before I came.  I don’t know why he shouldn’t have sent for your father, but he had a gentleman down from town.  I suppose he will leave her something; but it is a great thing that Bragton should remain in the family.  Oh dear, oh dear,—­if any one but a Morton were to be here it would break my heart.  Reginald is the only one left now of the old branch.  He’s getting old and he ought to marry.  It is so serious when there’s an old family property.”

“I suppose he will—­only—­”

“Yes; exactly.  One can’t even think about it while this poor young man is lying so ill.  Mrs. Morton has been almost like his mother, and has lived upon the Bragton property,—­absolutely lived upon it,—­and now she is away from him because he chooses to do what he likes with his own.  Is it not awful?  And she would not put her foot in the house if she knew that Reginald was here.  She told Mrs. Hopkins as much, and she said that she wouldn’t so much as write a line to me.  Poor fellow; he wrote it himself.  And now he thinks so much about it.  When Dr. Fanning went back to London yesterday I think he took some message to her.”

Mary remained there till lunch was announced but refused to go down into the parlour, urging that she was expected home for dinner.  “And there is no chance for Mr. Twentyman?” asked Lady Ushant.  Mary shook her head.  “Poor man!  I do feel sorry for him as everybody speaks so well of him.  Of course, my dear, I have nothing to say about it.  I don’t think girls should ever be in a hurry to marry, and if you can’t love him—­”