"
"I hope so," she said, scarcely understanding.
He then interrogated her somewhat closely as to the letters which had
prepared her for the proposal; and as Aurelia was far too simple to
conceal anything under cross-examination, Mr. Belamour soon found
out what her Ladyship's threats and promises had been.
"The Manor House?" he said. "That is the original nucleus of the
property which had hitherto gone to the heir male?"
"So my sister told me," said Aurelia.
"That letter, which Dr. Godfrey read to me, spoke of my poor brother's
discomfort in holding it. It is well if thus tardily she refund it,
though not as your price, my poor child. It should have been as
matter of justice, if not by her husband's dying wish. So this is
the alternative set before you! Has it been set before your father
likewise?"
"Almost certainly she will have threatened to dismiss him if he do
not consent. It was that which made my sister decide on sending me
here, or what would become of him and Eugene? But I should think
my Lady knew my father better than to seem to offer any kind of
price, as you call it, for me."
"Precisely. You have heard from this maternal sister of yours? Does
he then give his consent?"
"They say they will not have my inclinations forced, and that they
had rather undergo anything than that I should be driven to--to--"
"To be as much a sacrifice as Iphigenia," he concluded the sentence.
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