Page 107 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

ing her voice.
‘Yes, and the other places; what are they called?’
The two sisters exchanged an almost frightened glance.
‘Do you meando you mean on account of the expense?’ the
younger one asked.
‘I dare say he might let one or two of his houses,’ said the
other.
‘Let them for nothing?’ Isabel demanded.
‘I can’t fancy his giving up his property,’ said Miss Mo-
lyneux.
‘Ah, I’m afraid he is an impostor!’ Isabel returned. ‘Don’t
you think it’s a false position?’
Her companions, evidently, had lost themselves. ‘My
brother position?’ Miss Molyneux enquired.
‘It’s thought a very good position,’ said the younger sis-
ter. ‘It’s the first position in this part of the country.’
‘I dare say you think me very irreverent,’ Isabel took oc-
casion to remark. ‘I suppose you revere your brother and are
rather afraid of him.’
‘Of course one looks up to one’s brother,’ said Miss Mo-
lyneux simply.
‘If you do that he must be very good—because you, evi-
dently, are beautifully good.’
‘He’s most kind. It will never be known, the good he
does.’
‘His ability is known,’ Mildred added; ‘every one thinks
it’s immense.’
‘Oh, I can see that,’ said Isabel. ‘But if I were he I should
wish to fight to the death: I mean for the heritage of the past.

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