Grace was in one of her most provoking moods; she was trying to hide any discomposure she felt by an air of bravado, and she resented Margaret's sharpness as though her sister was injuring her deeply by her tone. "Did he come to offer me his hand?" she asked, drawing herself up and looking at Margaret with raised eyebrows; "perhaps, middle-aged as he is, he may think as one sister----Oh, forgive me, darling Margaret! I am hateful and detestable! No one but you would have patience with me! I will go and ask Jean's pardon! I will do anything only don't look so!" She flung herself upon her knees by Margaret, weeping passionately. "Grace, there are only we two; let us love each other, and not drift into unkindness," whispered Margaret, and Grace checked her weeping and got up. "Now tell me," she said, "what you mean, darling. In what way did his visit refer to me?" "Mr. Drayton, it seems, to please me," began Margaret.... "No," she said, "I must put it to _you_ truthfully. When I agreed to marry him I stipulated that out of his wealth he should provide for you in such a way that if I died or he died you should be beyond want." "And what did he do?" asked Grace, breathlessly, her eyes sparkling with eagerness. "He left fifteen thousand pounds to you and the life interest to me, Grace." "And he left nothing to me outright! What a shame!" and Grace's eyes filled with angry tears. "He knew that so long as I lived you would share anything I had," said Margaret, gently. "Which it seems is little enough, as you are reducing yourself to a state of pauperism by degrees," said Grace, bitterly. "You have all you want, and Mr. Sandford's liberal allowance is more than sufficient for us both." "And as I do not wish you to die, darling, and you are stronger than I am, it is a very empty compliment." "I do not wish to touch this money, Grace. I hope you will not touch it either." "How can I touch it if it is yours?" "But if I do not take the income it will either accumulate for you or I believe you could have the interest now." "Delightful!" exclaimed Grace. "Now, Margaret, you may spare yourself any remarks. I have this money within my reach and I intend to take it,--there!" CHAPTER V. If Margaret had continued to have any hopes of her sister's seeing matters as she saw them she would soon have been undeceived. Grace's spirits were a real trial to her, but this was nothing compared to the congratulations that poured in from Lady Lyons, and even from Jean. Grace announced to every one that she had succeeded to a fortune, and made no secret of its having been a legacy from her brother-in-law. If any thing could have added to Margaret's feeling about it, it was being congratulated upon her husband's having done the right thing. Lady Lyons was quite bewildered by Grace's impetuous confidences--though with all her questioning she could not make out exactly what the fortune was. Grace's expression 'heaps of money' might mean any thing.