He was not a bad little man at heart, but he was entirely ruled by his wife.
"I don't think the estate will bear it, Mr.Buckton," he said in a peevish voice.

"It is heavily burdened as it is.

If a five-pound note would be of any use----" "I can't see that we are called upon to do anything, Jarvis," his wife put in again.

"In fact, Mr.Buckton, you may take it that we do not intend to do anything more for Miss Gray." "Very well, Lady Iniscrone." Mr.Buckton turned away and busied himself with his papers.

He could not trust himself at the moment to speak lest he should forget his professional discretion.
But Mary had not waited for the result of his intercession on her behalf, of which, indeed, she knew nothing.