What if it were gone altogether?
It may be that it is that which vexes my father; but if so, it is a monomania." "Oh, my boy, do not use such a word!" "You know what I mean.

If any doubt as to that is creating this despondency, it only shows that though we are bound to respect and relieve my father's state of mind, we are not at all bound to share it.

What would it really matter, mother, if that place in London were washed away by the Thames?
There is more than enough left for us all, unless--" "Ah, Herbert, that is it." "Then I will go to Somers, and he shall tell me.

My father's interest in this property cannot have been involved without his knowledge; and circumstanced as we and my father are, he is bound to tell me." "If there be anything within his knowledge to tell, he will tell it." "And if there be nothing within his knowledge, then I can only look upon all this as a disease on my poor father's part.

I will do all I can to comfort him in it; but it would be madness to destroy my whole happiness because he labours under delusions." Lady Fitzgerald did not know what further to say.