Mrs. Baldwin could not understand this; and when the fact proved the truth of the son's prediction, she was outraged at the old gentleman's "perverseness" as she called it. But as time went on, and Mrs. Baldwin saw that her family had suffered no real disgrace, as far as she could distinguish, by the marriage of her son into that of the watchmaker, she became more reconciled and indifferent. Mrs. Hudson did not, as she at first feared would be the case, thrust herself at all unsuitable times, and on all unsuitable occasions, into her company. The fact was very different. Mrs. Hudson gave her no trouble in this respect; for she was by no means strongly prepossessed in her favor, and did not enjoy her society well enough to seek it very often. CHAPTER XVII. BITTER FRUITS. SCARCELY had the honey-moon passed after the wedding of Lawrence Dunbar—which took place a few months after the elevation of Doctor Hudson to the chair of anatomy and surgery in the school—before the young lawyer's restless desire to know something in, regard to his wife's fortune, led him to ask her some questions on the subject. He was informed that Mr. Harrison, her guardian, had the entire charge of her property, and would give him all information on the subject. "Of course the guardianship will now cease," said the husband; "since the law places in my hands all the powers that were conferred upon him." "I presume it will," returned the wife, speaking indifferently. "Shall I see him?" asked Dunbar. "If you please." Still in a tone of indifference. "What is the amount of your property; do you know?" In spite of his effort to ask this question without evincing any particular interest in the answer, he could not help betraying, to some extent, what he really did feel; but whether his wife perceived it or not, was hard to tell. "I never knew exactly," she replied, "but I think it was originally twenty-five thousand dollars. I suppose it has increased a little, as I have never drawn as much as the interest." "Twenty-five thousand dollars!" exclaimed Dunbar, thrown off his guard. "Only twenty-five thousand dollars!" "And pray, how much did you suppose it was?" asked the startled wife, through whose whole frame the words of her husband thrilled. She was instantly aware that he had been attracted by the hope of securing a large fortune, and as instantly she felt a strong sense of indignation. Her pride was aroused, and that with her was an overmastering passion. Dunbar saw that he had betrayed himself, and he also saw, by the expression of his wife's face, that he had committed an offence not likely to be soon forgiven. "I was informed that it was more," he said, speaking with forced calmness. "By whom, pray?" Mrs. Dunbar's eyes flashed, and her voice was angry in its expression. "Not by you, certainly."