'Why do you hope so?' said Emily, suddenly.

'Because if he isn't, there will only be one person to deal with. If he had
a wife, she would have a voice in the matter; and in such circumstances as
ours a man is easier to deal with. I earnestly hope Mr. Hubert Price is not
married, and shall consider it a great point in our favour if on returning
to town I find he is not.' Then assuming a lighter tone, for the nervous
strain of the last ten minutes had been intense, he said: 'If he is not
married, who knows--you may take a fancy to him, and he to you; then things
would be just the same as before--only better.'

'I should not marry him--I hate him already. I wonder how you can think of
such a thing, Mr. Grandly? You know that he must be a very wicked man for
uncle to have disinherited him. I have always heard that--but I don't know
what I am saying.' Tears welled up into her eyes. 'I daresay my cousin is
not so bad as--but I can talk no more.... I am very miserable, I have
always been miserable, and I don't know why; I never did harm to any one.'

Soon after Mr. Grandly bade the ladies good-bye. Julia followed him to the
front door. 'You will do all you can to help us? That poor child is too
young, too inexperienced, to realise what her position is.'

'I know, I know,' said Mr. Grandly, extending both hands to Julia; 'in the
whole course of my experience I never met with a sadder case. But we must
not take too sad a view of it. Perhaps all will come right in the end. The
young man cannot refuse to make good his uncle's intentions. He cannot see
his cousin go to the workhouse. I will do the best I can for you. The
moment I get back to London, I'll set inquiries on foot and find out his
address, and when I have seen him I'll write. Good-bye.'