Lucas supplied every detail with the precision that characterised most of his utterances.

Finally he spoke of her position, advised her strongly to employ an agent for the estate, and promised his help in this or any other matter in which she might care to avail herself of it.
He seemed to take it for granted that she would remain at the head of affairs, and it gradually dawned upon Anne that she could not well do otherwise.

Her presence for a time at least seemed indispensable.

The responsibility had become hers and she could not at that stage shake it off.

Her dream of freedom was over.