easily twist him round to my way of thinking--but I was mistaken!" She
paused, momentarily out of breath, then resumed: "He soon found me out
and was sick of me in three weeks. He disliked dances, theatres, and
smart society, and buried me alive in the country. We had nothing in
common; he was just a bookworm, with a sarcastic tongue, who left me a
beggar! Now I am free, I am going to be a rich woman, marry a man who
understands me--and lead a new life."

"I see you are easily satisfied," remarked her son.

"I am; and although Mr. Levison is a Jew tradesman, as you have
remarked in your nasty sneering way, he has been generous enough to
offer you an opening as his assistant. He will take you into the shop
and pay you two hundred a year."

"No, thank you," replied Douglas stiffly; "I know nothing about old
furniture."

"Only old family, I suppose! Well, you might do worse; and when you
marry Cossie, as is probable, I will make you a small allowance."

(Shafto had relinquished his income of a hundred and fifty a year, and
made it over to his mother legally, immediately he had come of age.)

"I haven't the smallest idea of marrying Cossie, or anyone else," he
answered, with white-faced decision.

"Well, she, and indeed they _all_, expect it."

"I've never given them any reason to do so."