I checked her with a really angry look, and said, 'Perhaps you have not
observed it; but I really think, for a sensible person, my cousin Milly
here talks more nonsense than any twenty other girls.'
'A twenty-girl power! That's an immense compliment. I've the greatest
respect for nonsense, I owe it so much; and I really think if nonsense were
banished, the earth would grow insupportable.'
'Thank you, Lord Ilbury,' said Milly, who had grown quite easy in his
company during our long visit at Elverston; 'and I tell you, Miss Maud, if
you grow saucy, I'll accept your present, and what will you say then?'
'I really don't know; but just now I want to ask Lord Ilbury how he thinks
my uncle looks; neither I nor Milly have seen him since his illness.'
'Very much weaker, I think; but he may be gaining strength. Still, as my
business was not quite pleasant, I thought it better to postpone it, and
if you think it would be right, I'll write to Doctor Bryerly to ask him to
postpone the discussion for a little time.'
I at once assented, and thanked him; indeed, if I had had my way, the
subject should never have been mentioned, I felt so hardhearted and
rapacious; but Lord Ilbury explained that the trustees were constrained by
the provisions of the will, and that I really had no power to release them;
and I hoped that Uncle Silas also understood all this.
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