"
"Frank is no prize," said his mother with some irony.
"I knew you would say that, dear Mrs. Poynsett. Pecuniarily
speaking, of course, he is not; though as to all qualities of the
heart and head, he is a prize in the true sense of the word. But,
alas! it is a sort of necessity that poor Lena, if she marry at all,
should marry to liberal means. I tell you candidly that she has not
been brought up as she ought to have been, considering her
expectations or no expectations. What could you expect of my poor
father, with his habits, and two mere girls? I don't know whether
the governess could have done anything; but I know that it was quite
time I appeared. I tell you in confidence, dear Mrs. Poynsett,
there was a heavy pull on my own purse before I could take them away
from Rockpier; and, without blaming a mere child like poor dear Lena
you can see what sort of preparation she has had for a small
income."
It is hard to say which tried Mrs. Poynsett's patience most, the
'dears' or the candour; and the spirit of opposition probably
prompted her to say, "Frank has his share, like his brothers.
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