"Silly fellow, no! I mean the life. Those Herritons
are very well connected. They lead Sawston society. But
what do I care, so long as I have my silly fellow!" She
always treated him as a boy, which he was, and as a fool,
which he was not, thinking herself so immeasurably superior
to him that she neglected opportunity after opportunity of
establishing her rule. He was good-looking and indolent;
therefore he must be stupid. He was poor; therefore he
would never dare to criticize his benefactress. He was
passionately in love with her; therefore she could do
exactly as she liked.
"It mayn't be heaven below," she thought, "but it's
better than Charles."
And all the time the boy was watching her, and growing up.
She was reminded of Charles by a disagreeable letter
from the solicitors, bidding her disgorge a large sum of
money for Irma, in accordance with her late husband's will.
It was just like Charles's suspicious nature to have
provided against a second marriage. Gino was equally
indignant, and between them they composed a stinging reply,
which had no effect. He then said that Irma had better come
out and live with them. "The air is good, so is the food;
she will be happy here, and we shall not have to part with
the money." But Lilia had not the courage even to suggest
this to the Herritons, and an unexpected terror seized her
at the thought of Irma or any English child being educated
at Monteriano.
Gino became terribly depressed over the solicitors'
letter, more depressed than she thought necessary.
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