‘It's a folly to talk, Lady Torrendale,’ were Mrs. Stockwell's first words in their morning tête-a-tête, ‘I've advanced more than I can afford, and I'll advance no more.’

‘But, my dear Mrs. Stockwell, is this the moment to stop, when Spencer has set his / heart upon following up the plan with spirit? I dare not face him without the promise of this thousand pounds. Indeed I dare not; no one has any idea of his temper, who only knows him – as you know him. Surely you would not prevent his making an advantageous arrangement with his creditors for such a trifle; and if he has been a little imprudent this last year, and reduced me to some difficulties, would you increase them when you could so easily’ –

‘Lady Torrendale,’ said Mrs. Stockwell, in a tone that she meant should be solemn; ‘I have borne a great deal, and concealed a great deal, and I never let Lord Torrendale guess.’

‘Oh! if you still allude to the sum you lent me, to make up what I wanted to advance him before I left Rose-villa, you were certainly very good; but consider it is all for your own Spencer – your dear Spencer, who came into Derbyshire for the sole object of seeing you;’ (and recruiting his finances a little at your expence,) she might have added, aside. ‘He has applied to me; but, I declare I am at this moment so in want of money.’