Before Ralph had taken his leave Sir Thomas took Mary apart to make some communication to her as to her own affairs. Everything was now settled, and Sir Thomas had purchased stock for her with her little fortune. "You have L20 2_s._ 4_d._ a year, quite your own," he said, laughing;--as he might have done to one of his own girls, had an unexpected legacy been left to her. "That means that I must be altogether dependent on your charity," she said, looking into his face through her tears. "It means nothing of the kind," he said, with almost the impetuosity of anger. "There shall be no such cold word as charity between you and me. You are one of us now, and of my cup and of my loaf it is your right to partake, as it is the right of those girls there. I shall never think of it, or speak of it again." "But I must think of it, uncle." "The less the better;--but never use that odious word again between you and me. It is a word for strangers. What is given as I give to you should be taken without even an acknowledgment. My payment is to be your love." "You shall be paid in full," she said as she kissed him. This was all very well, but still on his part there was some misgiving,--some misgiving, though no doubt. If he were to die what would become of her? He must make a new will,--which in itself was to him a terrible trouble; and he must take something from his own girls in order that he might provide for this new daughter. That question of adopting is very difficult. If a man have no children of his own,--none others that are dependent on him,--he can give all, and there is an end of his trouble. But a man feels that he owes his property to his children; and, so feeling, may he take it from them and give it to others? Had she been in truth his daughter, he would have felt that there was enough for three; but she was not his daughter, and yet he was telling her that she should be to him the same as a child of his house!