It had not occurred to him that they
would think he was after the money. He _did_ want the money--badly. He
badly wanted to be an employer himself, not one of the employed. But he
knew, in his subtle, calculating way, that it was not for money he wanted
Matilda. He wanted both the money and Matilda. But he told himself the
two desires were separate, not one. He could not do with Matilda,
_without_ the money. But he did not want her _for_ the money.
When he got this clear in his mind, he sought for an opportunity to tell
it her, lurking and watching. But she avoided him. In the evening the
lawyer came. Mr. Rockley seemed to have a new access of strength--a will
was drawn up, making the previous arrangements wholly conditional. The
old will held good, if Matilda would consent to marry Hadrian. If she
refused then at the end of six months the whole property passed to
Hadrian.
Mr. Rockley told this to the young man, with malevolent satisfaction. He
seemed to have a strange desire, quite unreasonable, for revenge upon the
women who had surrounded him for so long, and served him so carefully.
'Tell her in front of me,' said Hadrian.
So Mr. Rockley sent for his daughters.
At last they came, pale, mute, stubborn. Matilda seemed to have retired
far off, Emmie seemed like a fighter ready to fight to the death. The
sick man reclined on the bed, his eyes bright, his puffed hand trembling.
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