"Pleasant times will not come my way so long as you have not a shilling to give me for a new gown, and cannot afford to keep up my house in London." She fully expected another retort from him--brutal and unbridled as was his wont when money affairs were being discussed.

He was not accustomed to curb his violence in her presence.

She had been his helpmeet in many unavowable extravagances, in the days when he was still striving after a brilliant position in town.

There had been certain rumors anent a gambling den, whereat Mistress de Chavasse had been the presiding spirit and which had come under the watchful eye of my Lord Protector's spies.
Now she had perforce to share her brother-in-law's poverty.

At any rate he provided a roof over her head.