The Green Mummy - Page 81/191

"But I don't want him to go hang," she replied, laughing. "After all,

the Professor has always been kind to me, and as a step-father has

behaved very well, when he could easily have made himself disagreeable.

Another thing is that he can be very bad tempered when he likes, and if

I let people talk about us--which they will do if they get a chance--he

will behave so coldly to me, that I shall have a disagreeable time. As

we can't marry for ever so long, I don't want to be uncomfortable."

"We can marry whenever you like," said Hope unexpectedly.

"What, with your income so unsettled?"

"It is not unsettled."

"Yes, it is. You will help that horrid spendthrift uncle of yours, and

until he and his family are solvent I don't see how we can be sure of

our money."

"We are sure of it now, dearest. Uncle Simon has turned up trumps after

all, and so have his investments."

"What do you mean exactly?"

"I mean that yesterday I received a letter from him saying that he was

now rich, and would pay back all I had lent him. I went up to London

to-day, and had an interview. The result of that is that I am some

thousands to the good, that Uncle Simon is well off for the rest of his

life and will require no more assistance, and that my three hundred a

year is quite clear for ever and ever and ever."

"Then we can marry," cried Miss Kendal with a gasp of delight.

"Whenever you choose--next week if you like."

"In January then--just after Christmas. We'll go on a trip to Italy and

return to take a flat in London. Oh, Archie, I am sorry I thought so

badly of your uncle. He has behaved very well. And what a mercy it is

that he will require no more assistance! You are sure he will not."

"If he does, he won't get it," said Hope candidly. "While I was a

bachelor I could assist him; but when I am married I must look after

myself and my wife." He gave Lucy a hug. "It's all right now, dear,

and Uncle Simon has behaved excellently--far better than I expected.

We shall go to Italy for the honeymoon and need not hurry back until

we--well, say until we quarrel."

"In that case we shall live in Italy for the rest of our lives," said

Lucy with twinkling eyes; "but we must come back in a year and take a

studio in Chelsea."

"Why not in Gartley? Remember, the Professor will be lonely."

"No, he won't. Mrs. Jasher, as I told you, intends to marry him."

"He might not wish to marry her"