Would he be justified in rejecting, on behalf of Mary, the offer of pecuniary provision which this rich relative seemed so well inclined to make?
Or, if he accepted it, would he in truth be studying her interests?
Scatcherd was a self-willed, obstinate man--now indeed touched by unwonted tenderness; but he was one to whose lasting tenderness Dr Thorne would be very unwilling to trust his darling.

He did resolve, that on the whole he should best discharge his duty, even to her, by keeping her to himself, and rejecting, on her behalf, any participation in the baronet's wealth.

As Mary herself had said, "some people must be bound together;" and their destiny, that of himself and his niece, seemed to have so bound them.

She had found her place at Greshamsbury, her place in the world; and it would be better for her now to keep it, than to go forth and seek another that would be richer, but at the same time less suited to her.
"No, Scatcherd," he said at last, "she cannot come here; she would not be happy here, and, to tell the truth, I do not wish her to know that she has other relatives." "Ah! she would be ashamed of her mother, you mean, and of her mother's brother too, eh?
She's too fine a lady, I suppose, to take me by the hand and give me a kiss, and call me her uncle?
I and Lady Scatcherd would not be grand enough for her, eh ?" "You may say what you please, Scatcherd: I of course cannot stop you." "But I don't know how you'll reconcile what you are doing to your conscience.

What right can you have to throw away the girl's chance, now that she has a chance?
What fortune can you give her ?" "I have done what little I could," said Thorne, proudly.
"Well, well, well, well, I never heard such a thing in my life; never.