"Certainly not," Mrs. Hannay said. "Naturally I should wish to have
my children with me, but I doubt whether your being here would be
for the happiness of any of us, and besides, I do not wish your
uncle's money to go out of the family; he might take it into his
head to leave it to a hospital for black women. Still, it would
have been only right and proper that he should at any rate have
given Helena the first choice. As for your instant acceptance of
his offer, without even consulting me, nothing can surprise me in
that way after your general conduct towards me."

However, although Mrs. Hannay declined to take any interest in
Isobel's preparations, and continued to behave as an injured person,
neither she nor Helena were sorry at heart for the arrangement
that had been made. They objected very strongly to Isobel's plan
of going out as a governess; but upon the other hand, her presence
at home would in many ways have been an inconvenience. Two can
make a better appearance on a fixed income than three can, and her
presence at home would have necessitated many small economies. She
was, too, a disturbing element; the others understood each other
perfectly, and both felt that they in no way understood Isobel.
Altogether, it was much better that she should go.

As to the heirship, Captain Hannay had spoken freely as to his
monetary affairs when he had been in England after his brother's
death.

"My pay is amply sufficient for all my wants," he said; "but
everything is expensive out there, and I have had no occasion to
save. I have a few hundred pounds laid by, so that if I break down,