If Beryl wished him to raise the question again with his father, of course he would; otherwise he greatly preferred to leave it alone.

And as Beryl had no will or wishes but his, and was, in Alice's opinion, only too absurdly and dependently in love, the sleeping dogs were very much asleep; and the secret of Mannering's future disposal lay hid impenetrably in the Squire's own breast.
At the same time, Mrs.Gaddesden was firmly persuaded that whatever Elizabeth Bremerton wished or advised would ultimately be done.
What an extraordinary position that young woman now held among them! Nearly three months had now elapsed since Mrs.Gaddesden's autumn visit--since Desmond had gone into training at his artillery camp--since a third of the park had been ploughed up, and since Elizabeth Bremerton had thrown up her post only to come back next day as dictator.
Yes--_dictator_! Mrs.Gaddesden was never tired of thinking about it, and was excitedly conscious that all the neighbourhood, and all their friends and kinsfolk were thinking and speculating with her.
At the beginning of November, before she and Margaret Strang went back to town, the Squire had announced to all of them that Miss Bremerton had become his 'business secretary,' as well as his classical assistant.

And now, after three months, the meaning of this notice was becoming very clear.

The old agent, Mr.Hull, had been dismissed, and moderately--very moderately--pensioned.

It was said that Miss Bremerton, on looking into his accounts, saw no reason at all for any special indulgence.