This was a mode of settling affairs to which the Earl would not listen for a moment, had he possessed the power of putting a veto upon it.

But there had been a transaction lately between him and his son with reference to the cutting off a certain entail under which money was to be paid to Lord Percival.

This money had not yet been forthcoming, and therefore the Earl was constrained to assent.

This was very distasteful to the Earl, and he came home therefore in a bad humour, and said a great many disagreeable things to his daughter.
"You know, papa, if I could do anything I would." This she said in answer to a threat, which he had made often before and now repeated, of getting rid altogether of the house in Belgrave Square.

Whenever he made this threat he did not scruple to tell her that the house had to be kept up solely for her welfare.