And even the dawning of this idea had frightened the girl.

She was so inexperienced and ignorant that she felt it might be possible that in England one's husband and one's mother-in-law could do what they liked.

It might be that they could take possession of one's money as they seemed to take possession of one's self and one's very soul.

She would have been very glad to give them money, and had indeed wondered frequently if she might dare to offer it to them, if they would be outraged and insulted and slay her in their wrath at her purse-proud daring.

She had tried to invent ways in which she could approach the subject, but had not been able to screw up her courage to any sticking point.