"I have no objection in life," he said; "but take care that
you don't interfere with her happiness."
"Because of her father and sisters?" suggested the innocent old
lady.
"'Has she a father, has she a mother;
Or has she a dearer one still than all other?'"
said Reginald laughing.
"Perhaps she has."
"Then don't interfere with her happiness in that direction. How is
she to have a lover come to see her out here?"
"Why not? I don't see why she shouldn't have a lover here as well
as in Dillsborough. I don't object to lovers, if they are of the
proper sort; and I am sure Mary wouldn't have anything else."
Reginald told her she might do as she pleased and made no further
inquiry as to Mary's lovers.
A few days afterwards Mary went with her boxes to Bragton,--Mrs.
Masters repeating her objections, but repeating them with but
little energy. Just at this time a stroke of good fortune befell
the Masters family generally which greatly reduced her power over
her husband. Reginald Morton had spent an hour in the attorney's
office, and had declared his purpose of restoring Mr. Masters to
his old family position in regard to the Bragton estate. When she
heard it she felt at once that her dominion was gone. She had based
everything on the growing inferiority of her husband's position,
and now he was about to have all his glory back again! She had
inveighed against gentlemen from the day of her marriage,--and here
he was, again to be immersed up to his eyes in the affairs of a
gentleman.
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