Lancy had received a letter also, and Hugh's unexpected good fortune was
told at length. Hugh's father had not died during the journey to the
Australian gold diggings, as had been reported, but he had changed his
name, and so was lost sight of, until he had accumulated the fortune that
now fell to his son. Lancy wondered if Hugh's better prospects would have
any influence on Dexie; he knew well that Hugh would use his money as a
stepping-stone to Dexie's favor. Perhaps Dexie surmised what was going on
in his mind, for she passed him her letter with permission to read it.
After they retired from the breakfast room, they discussed the news
together. Lancy felt ashamed to think he could not feel as pleased about it
as he ought, and Dexie listened with heightened color as he told his fear
of being set aside for Hugh.
"Lancy, you must remember I am free to do as I like with my future," she
said, with flushed cheeks, "for I have not given you the least word of a
promise; but let me tell you once and for all, that Hugh cannot buy my
favor, and he has not been able to obtain it by coaxing, or brute force
either.
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