I did not wish to shut myself out from my kind.

I could discharge my duties to my own class and enjoy a moderate amount of pleasure.

I was young enough to desire that; but the greater part of my time would be placed at the disposal of my poorer neighbours.
People might think it singular at first, but they would not talk for ever, and the life would be a happy one to me.
All this had been said in that voluminous letter of mine to Uncle Max; he might argue and shake his head over it, thereby proving himself a wise man, but he could not but know that I was absolutely under my own control, as far as a woman could be.

I need ask no one's advice in the disposal of my own life; his own and Uncle Brian's guardianship was merely nominal now.

After five-and-twenty I was declared my own mistress in every sense of the word.
Uncle Brian came out to meet us as soon as he heard Uncle Max's voice in the hall; the two were very great friends, and they shook hands cordially.
'Glad to see you, Cunliffe; why did you not let us know that you were coming up to town?
We could have put you up easily--eh, Ursula ?' 'Yes, indeed, Uncle Brian'; and then I added coaxingly, 'Do please send for your portmanteau, Uncle Max; you know Lesbia is coming this evening, and you are such a favourite with her.' I knew this would be a strong inducement, for Uncle Max's soft heart would insist on treating Lesbia as though she were a widowed princess.
'All right,' he returned in his lazy way, and then I took the matter into my own hands by leaving the room at once to consult with Mrs.Martin, Aunt Philippa's housekeeper.