She is jealous of those Nugents, and if she doesn't take care, they will cut her out, mother and daughter, with their manoeuvres and wax; and she will be heiress of Glanyravon no longer.

Better the waxen heiress, Miss Nugent, with thirty thousand pounds in possession in some thirty-six hours, than the iron heiress, Miss Gwynne, with Glanyravon _in futuro_.
'Moreover, the one may be moulded into any shape one pleases--the other must have her own opinion, and her own way, unless a man beat her into subjection.

Certainly, few people were ever more fortunately, or perplexingly placed, than I am just now.
'Between two young women, handsome, rich, of good family; if I mistake not, in love with me, and to be had for the asking.

But if I married Freda, Mr Gwynne would marry Lady Nugent directly; and then one could tell what would become of the property.

If, on the other hand, I were to marry Miss Nugent, I should incur the utmost contempt of which Miss Gwynne is capable, and should not wholly esteem myself.