"If that be generosity, I will be generous. I will offer her that permission. I will not wait till she asks for it. I will beg her to tell me if it be true that she loves this cousin, and if she can say that it is true, she shall want no permission from me to be free. She shall be free." "It is not a question, you see, between yourself and Lord Lovel. It is quite out of the question that she should in any event become your wife. Even had she power to do it--" "She has the power." "Practically she has no such power, Mr. Thwaite. A young person such as Lady Anna Lovel is and must be under the control of her natural guardian. She is so altogether. Her mother could not,--and would not,--constrain her to any marriage; but has quite sufficient power over her to prevent any marriage. Lady Anna has never for a moment supposed that she could become your wife since she learned what were the feelings of her mother and her family." The Serjeant certainly did not keep his promise of being "on the square." "But your generosity is necessary to enable Lady Lovel to bring to a happy termination all those sufferings with which her life has been afflicted." "I do not owe much to the Countess; but if it be generous to do as I have said I would do,--I will be generous. I will tell her daughter, without any question asked from her, that she is free to marry her cousin if she wishes." So far the Serjeant, though he had not been altogether as truthful as he had promised, had been discreet. He had said nothing to set the tailor vehemently against the Lovel interest, and had succeeded in obtaining a useful pledge. But, in his next attempt, he was less wise. "I think, you know, Mr. Thwaite, that the Countess also has been generous." "As how?" "You have received £9,000 already, I believe." "I have received what I presume to be my own. If I have had more it shall be refunded." "No;--no; by no means. Taking a liberal view of the matter, as the Countess was bound to do in honour, she was, I think, right in paying you what she has paid." "I want nothing from her in what you call honour. I want nothing liberal. If the money be not mine in common honesty she shall have it back again. I want nothing but my own." "I think you are a little high flown, Mr. Thwaite." "I dare say I may be,--to the thinking of a lawyer." "The Countess, who is in truth your friend,--and will always be your friend if you will only be amenable to reason,--has been delighted to think that you are now in possession of a sum of money which will place you above want." "The Countess is very kind."