“Excuse me if I enquire,” she said, “whether it’s too much to hope that you may be induced to leave Dr. Hugh alone.” Then, before Dencombe, greatly disconcerted, could protest: “You ought to be informed that you stand in his light; that you may do him a terrible injury.”
“Do you mean by causing the countess to dispense with his services?”
“By causing her to disinherit him.” Dencombe stared at this, and Miss Vernham pursued, in the gratification of seeing she could produce an impression: “It has depended on himself to come into something very handsome. He has had a magnificent prospect, but I think you’ve succeeded in spoiling it.”
“Not intentionally, I assure you. Is there no hope that the accident may be repaired?” Dencombe asked.
“She was ready to do anything for him. She takes great
