He had her letter to him in the breast-pocket of his coat, and his hand was on it, that he might fling it back to her, and tell her that he would not hold her to be his promised wife under such circumstances as these. The anger which would have induced him to do so was the better part of his nature. Three or four years since, this better part would have prevailed, and he would have given way to his rage. But now, as his fingers played upon the paper, he remembered that her money was absolutely essential to him,--that some of it was needed by him almost instantly,--that on this very morning he was bound to go where money would be demanded from him, and that his hopes with regard to Chelsea could not be maintained unless he was able to make some substantial promise of providing funds. His sister Kate's fortune was just two thousand pounds. That, and no more, was now the capital at his command, if he should abandon this other source of aid. Even that must go, if all other sources should fail him; but he would fain have that untouched, if it were possible. Oh, that that old man in Westmoreland would die and be gathered to his fathers, now that he was full of years and ripe for the sickle! But there was no sign of death about the old man. So his fingers released their hold on the letter, and he stood looking at her in his anger.

He had her letter in the breast-pocket of his coat, and his hand was on it: he almost flung it back to her, telling her that he would not hold her to be his promised wife under these circumstances. The anger which would have induced him to do so was the better part of his nature. Three or four years ago, this better part would have prevailed, and he would have given way to his rage.
But now he remembered that her money was absolutely essential to him - that some of it was needed almost instantly - and that his hopes of Chelsea could not be maintained unless he was able to promise funds. His sister Kate's fortune was just two thousand pounds: and that was all the money he had at his command, if he did not use Alice's. Oh, if only that that old man in Westmorland would die! But there was no sign of that. So his fingers released their hold on the letter, and he stood looking at her in his anger.
