As for herself, who had been born a Jackson, she
could do with very little; but the Greystocks were all people who wanted
money. For them there was never more than ninepence in a shilling, if so
much. They were a race who could not pay their way with moderate incomes.
Even the dear dean, who really had a conscience about money, and who
hardly ever left Bobsborough, could not be kept quite clear of debt, let
her do what she would. As for the admiral, the dean's elder brother, he
had been notorious for insolvency; and Frank was a Greystock all over. He
was the very man to whom money with a wife was almost a necessity of
existence.
And his pretty cousin, the widow, who was devoted to him, and would have
married him at a word, had ever so many thousands a year! Of course Lizzie
Eustace was not just all that she should be; but then who is? In one
respect, at any rate, her conduct had always been proper. There was no
rumour against her as to lovers or flirtations. She was very young, and
Frank might have moulded her as he pleased. Of course there were regrets.
Poor dear little Lucy Morris was as good as gold. Mrs. Greystock was quite
willing to admit that.
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