“Would it not have been brotherly to give the sister an opportunity at least to consider what course she should take before loading her with threats, and commencing an action against her in Chancery?” said Miss Tallant. “The wishes of the dead are entitled to respect, and especially with regard to property left behind for others; but the recipient of a fortune such as that which I have inherited could have afforded to be generous, and would have endeavoured, no doubt, to give effect to the impulses of her own heart, even in the interest of one who did not deserve compassion.” “Indeed!” said Richard; “you are quite eloquent, I declare. You fill your high station magnificently. May I ring for luncheon?” “Perhaps it would be a little more courteous in the first place to explain your business, and in the next to leave the ordering of luncheon to the mistress of the house.” “As you please,” said Mr. Tallant--“as you please. I want you to instruct Twyzell and Kits, your lawyers, to pay four thousand pounds to my credit to-morrow.” “Indeed!” said Miss Tallant. “Yes, I will be frank with you. Certain important securities which I hold have suddenly fallen in value, and a banking friend of mine who holds them is anxious that the sum which they did represent should be made up in cash; I am very desirous of obliging my friend, and I knew you would oblige me.” “Indeed,” repeated Miss Tallant, “I fear I must refer you to the gentlemen whom you have mentioned; your legal process has quite removed the affair beyond the pale of my consideration, whatever my feelings with regard to it might be.” “Indeed!” said Mr. Richard Tallant, altogether uninfluenced by the quiet, sarcastic smile which played round Miss Tallant’s mouth, and ignoring altogether the evident annoyance which his effrontery excited, and which Amy struggled unsuccessfully to hide. “Is this your reply? Will you not _lend_ the money to your brother?” “It may not be mine to lend; you have threatened to upset your father’s will, and your lawyer professes to be certain that you can succeed in doing so. I must refer you to Mr. Twyzell; and now I will order luncheon for you,” said Amy, advancing towards the bell. “Stay one moment,” said Richard, stroking his beard, in which already there were many grey hairs; “it is useless to refer me to Twyzell; you must write a note requesting him to let me have the money to-morrow. He may lend it me without prejudice, as the lawyers say, so that it will in nowise influence any legal proceedings that are pending. You must do this, or I shall be compelled to say something very unpleasant. I cannot possibly do without the money, and it is most convenient that you should be the lender.” “What does this mean?” said Amy. “You know that I have no other course but to refer you to the lawyers, and it is idle to say more about it.”