I was just reminding you that the Rawdons have not been the finest specimens of good husbands.

They make landlords, and judges, and soldiers, and even loom-lords of a very respectable sort; but husbands! Lord help their poor wives! So you see, as a Mostyn woman, I have no special interest in Rawdon Court." "You would not like it to go out of the family ?" "I should not worry myself if it did." "I suppose you know Fred Mostyn has a mortgage on it that the present Squire is unable to lift." "Aye, Fred told me he had eighty thousand pounds on the old place.

I told him he was a fool to put his money on it." "One of the finest manors and manor-houses in England, mother." "I have seen it.

I was born and brought up near enough to it, I think." "Eighty thousand pounds is a bagatelle for the place; yet if Fred forces a sale, it may go for that, or even less.

I can't bear to think of it." "Why not buy it yourself ?" "I would lift the mortgage to-morrow if I had the means.