"Will you? Well, I'm not ill-disposed to go to London. One could live there very comfortable, I dare say, on two hundred a year. But how am I to know if you'll pay it? Give me a bit of writing----" "Not a word--not a line! You need not be afraid. I'll keep my promise if I have to sell my jewels to do it; and the General does not ask me what I do with my allowance. By-and-by, Sabina, I may have an income of my own; and then--then it shall be better for you as well as for me." Her tone and manner had grown silky and caressing. Miss Meldreth looked hard at her, as if suspecting that this sugary sweetness covered some ill design; but she read nothing but thoughtful serenity in Mrs. Vane's fair face. "When the General's dead, you mean? Well, that's as it may be. But I can't wait for that, you know, ma'am. He's strong and well, and may live for twenty years to come. I want my affairs settled now." "Very well. Go to London, send me your address, and you shall have the fifty pounds as soon as you are settled there." "That won't quite do, Mrs. Vane. I want something down for travelling and moving expenses. I have some bills to settle before I can leave the village." "You must be terribly extravagant!" said Flossy bitterly. "I gave you thirty pounds at Christmas. Will ten pounds do?" "Twenty would be better." "I haven't twenty. I do not know where to get them. You must be content with ten." "Ten won't do," said Sabina obstinately. Mrs. Vane made a gesture of impatience. "Reach me that jewel-box over there," she said. "Yes; bring it close--I have the key. Here are two five-pound notes. And here--take this ring, this bracelet--they are worth far more than ten pounds--get what you can for them." "I'd rather have the money," said Sabina; "but, if I must put up with this, I must. I'll be off in a couple of days." "You had better not tell anyone before hand that you are going. Some people might--think it their duty to interfere." "All right--I'll keep quiet, don't you fear, ma'am! Well, then, that's settled. If I go to London, you'll send me the fifty pound a quarter. And it must be regular, if you please--else I'll have to come down here after it." "You will not have to do that," said Mrs. Vane coldly. "Very well. Then I'll say good-bye to you, ma'am. Hope you'll get safely through your troubles; but it seems to me that you're in an uncommon risky position." "And, if I am," said Flossy, with sudden anger, "whose fault is it but yours?" Sabina shrugged her shoulders, and did not seem to think it worth while to reply. She walked to the door, and let herself out without another look or word.