She laid her hand upon my arm.
"Mr.Ducaine," she said, "I do hope that you mean to be reasonable.
Sir Michael is a dear old man." "He is my mother's brother," I answered, "and he left me to starve." "He had not the least idea," she declared, "that you were not reasonably well off.

He is most interested in hearing about you, and he was delighted to have you accept the allowance he offered you.

You will go and see him ?" "Yes, I shall go," I promised.

"I scarcely see the use of it, but I will go." "You must not be foolish," she said softly.

"Sir Michael is very rich> and you are his only near relative.