fortunately he found that it was impossible; no such demise was
known to the English law or practicable by it. He subsequently
admitted the folly of this by securing Lydia's rights as his
successor as stringently as he could. It is almost a pity that such
strength of mind and extent of knowledge should be fortified by the
dangerous independence which great wealth confers. Advantages like
these bring with them certain duties to the class that has produced
them--duties to which Lydia is not merely indifferent, but
absolutely hostile."

"I never meddle with her ideas on--on these subjects. I am too
ignorant to understand them. But Miss Carew's generosity to me has
been unparalleled. And she does not seem to know that she is
generous. I owe more to her than I ever can repay. At least," Alice
added, to herself, "I am not ungrateful."

Miss Carew now reappeared, dressed in a long, gray coat and plain
beaver hat, and carrying a roll of writing materials.

"I am going to the British Museum to read," said she.

"To walk!--alone!" said Lucian, looking at her costume.

"Yes. Prevent me from walking, and you deprive me of my health.
Prevent me from going alone where I please and when I please, and
you deprive me of my liberty--tear up Magna Charta, in effect. But I
do not insist upon being alone in this instance. If you can return
to your office by way of Regent's Park and Gower Street without
losing too much time, I shall be glad of your company."