He has come back very poor, Lionel."
"Poor? Then, were Verner's Pride and its revenues not his, I could have
understood why he should not like to show himself openly. Well! well!
compared to what I feared, it is a mercy. Sibylla is free; and I--I must
make the best of it. He will be a more generous master of Verner's
Pride--as I believe--than Frederick would ever have been."
"Yes," nodded Jan. "In spite of his faults. And John Massingbird used to
have plenty."
"I don't know who amongst us is without them, Jan. Unless--upon my word,
old fellow, I mean it!--unless it is you."
Jan opened his great eyes with a wondering stare. It never occurred to
humble-minded Jan that there was anything in _him_ approaching to
goodness. He supposed Lionel had spoken in joke.
"What's that?" cried he.
Jan alluded to a sudden burst of laughter, to a sound of many voices, to
fair forms that were flitting before the windows. The ladies had gone
into the drawing-room. "What a relief it will be for Sibylla!"
involuntarily uttered Lionel.
"She'll make a face at losing Verner's Pride," was the less poetical
remark of Jan.
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