She sat looking grave and sad.
Lord Luxmore had the reputation of being a keen-witted, diplomatic personage; undoubtedly he had, or could assume, that winning charm of manner which had descended in perfection to his daughter.

Both qualities it pleased him to exercise now.

He rose, addressing with kindly frankness the husband and wife.
"If I may ask--being a most sincere well-wisher of yours, and a sort of connection of Mrs.Halifax's, too--why is it impossible ?" "I have no wish to disguise the reason: it is because I have no capital." Lord Luxmore looked surprised.

"Surely--excuse me, but I had the honour of being well acquainted with the late Mr.March--surely, your wife's fortune--" Ursula rose, in her old impetuous way--"His wife's fortune! (John, let me say it!--I will, I must!)--of his wife's fortune, Lord Luxmore, he has never received one farthing.

Richard Brithwood keeps it back; and my husband would work day and night for me and our children rather than go to law." "Oh! on principle, I suppose?
I have heard of such opinions," said the earl, with the slightest perceptible sneer.