If it would gain him Adelaide--then, yes.

But when it would gain him nothing but the applause of people who in the same circumstances would not have had even the impulse to forego a million--"Mother's proper share will give her as much of an income as a woman needs at her age and alone," reasoned he.

"Besides, she may marry again.

And I must not forget that but for her Janet would never have got that dowry.

She brought this upon herself.