He could no more alter the conditions of Mr.
Whitelaw's will than he could bring Mr.Whitelaw back to life--and that last operation was one which he was by no means eager to perform.
Ellen herself felt no disappointment; she fancied, indeed, that her husband, whom she had never deceived by any pretence of affection, had behaved with sufficient generosity towards her.

Two hundred a year seemed a large income to her.

It would give her perfect independence, and the power to help others, if need were..