It is so disagreeable to have near neighbours whom one does not like, especially if they are relations." Her frankness was amusing, but not very easy to answer.

However, the two or three words he found for the occasion did perfectly well.
"You are exactly like the Beresfords," she went on, "and that I know must please grandpapa.

He never liked me because I am like my mother's family.

I don't mean that he is not fond of me in one way; I only mean that my being like the St.Clairs instead of like the Beresfords is one reason why he would never have left Hunsdon to me when there was anybody else to leave it to." Maurice felt a little relieved and enlightened.

His cousin then had never expected to inherit Hunsdon; he took courage on that, to ask a question.
"But as he could not have thought until lately of making a child of my mother's his heir, who was supposed to stand next in succession to my uncle ?" Lady Dighton gave a little sigh to the memory of her father.
"Grandpapa always wished him to marry again," she said.