Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/85

72 "With respect, you know, Bessie, to what you said just now about your fortune, I couldn't, as your guardian and trustee, consent to that. When you come of age you'll have uncontrolled power over certain property—which ain't in the trust-fund. That you can do what you like with, but not now. Even if I have the power to do it, I know Twisden would advise me not."

Mrs. Shaw observed that solicitors were only consulted, she supposed, as to the legality of certain acts, not as to their advisability.

To which her husband responded, "Well, Bessie will be of age, any way, in little more than a couple of years, and then my responsibility ends, and she can do as she pleases about the money that ain't in trust. As to the rest, well—we'll see"

"Uncle," struck in Elizabeth, wishing to change the current of the conversation," how many days shall you be in Birmingham?"

"I'm afraid I shall be kept three, at least. So I'm not sorry, Bessie, to be spared going to London, for we begin to make our hay o' Monday, and I should like to be home for that, ye see."

"Of course, uncle; it's much better you should."

"And then I wouldn't like to be away too long while Wybrowe is here. Molly says he won't mind being left here with you"—he looked mighty sly, and chuckled, as he said this—"else I wouldn't have asked him to stay on. It don't seem very civil to run away from a guest, and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't obliged—but"

"My dear Bill! don't distress yourself about the colonel. I assure you he will do very well without you.