'No doubt he does. And so do I of Mr Possitt.'

'Mr Possitt is a very excellent young man,' said Mrs Winterfield,
gravely. Mr Possitt was, indeed, her favourite curate of Perivale, and
always dined at the house on Sundays between services, when Mrs
Winter-field was very particular in seeing that he took two glasses of
her best port wine to support him. 'But Mr Possitt has nothing but his
curacy.'

'There is no danger, aunt, I can assure you.'

'I don't know what you call danger; but Frederic seemed to think that
you are always sharp with him. You don't want to quarrel with him, I
hope, because I love him better than any one in the world?'

'Oh, aunt, what cruel things you say to me without thinking of them!'

'I do not mean to be cruel, but I will say nothing more about him. As I
told you before that I had not thought it expedient to leave away any
portion of my little property from Frederic believing, as I did then,
that the money intended for you by your father was still remaining it
is best that you should now know that I have at last learnt the truth,
and that I will at once see my lawyer about making the change.'

'Dear aunt, of course I thank you.'

'I want no thanks, Clara. I humbly strive to do what I believe to be my
duty. I have never felt myself to be more than a steward of my money.
That I have often failed in my stewardship I know well for in what