No one could have behaved better than Hubert did, until my brother's demands became so outrageous that it was impossible to go on lending and giving him money.

Hubert did not trust him so far as to give back the mortgages, so these will form a portion of his estate.

As that belongs to me, I can settle everything with ease, and place Garvington in an entirely satisfactory condition.

But I do that at the cost of losing you, dear.

Should the estates pass to this unknown person, the mortgages would be foreclosed, and our family would be ruined." "Are things as bad as that ?" "Every bit as bad.