But he also perceived--or thought that he perceived--a kind of threat in this warning from his uncle.

"I have promised you eight hundred a year with your wife," the warning seemed to say.

"But if you do not at once accept it, or let me feel that it will be accepted, it may be well for me to change my mind--especially as this other niece is about to be married.

If I am to give you so large a fortune with Bell, I need do nothing for Lily.

But if you do not choose to take Bell and the fortune, why then--" And so on.