human
Henry will be here shortly, she said pettishly,
gpt
On this occasion he must wait, said Bella dryly,
human
Don't speak of Henry in that tone, miss; you know he is the most amiable man in the world.
gpt
Your speech about his impatience for dinner sounds like it. However, we need converse only for a few minutes. I understood you to say that this house is yours, Aunt Rosamund.
human
It is, she said, glancing round the vari-coloured room with great pride.
gpt
The house is mine and the farm is mine, and Jabez's income of five hundred a year, well invested, is mine.
human
And what is left to me?
gpt
Your aunt's love, said Mrs. Coppersley, in a matter-of-fact way.
human
Jabez asked me to look after you; and so long as you behave yourself I shall do so.
gpt
Do you mean to say that my father has left everything to you?
human
Everything, assented Mrs. Coppersley, with an air of triumph.
gpt
Jabez wasn't so rich as folk thought him, and although he had enough invested to give him five hundred a year, he had little ready cash. When my late husband died he left me a good sum. Jabez borrowed this and added it to his own, so that he might buy Bleacres. I agreed, but only on condition that Jabez should leave me the whole property when he died. I saw that the will was made, and Mr. Timson, the Cade Lane lawyer, is now proving it. When probate is obtained, my dear, ended Mrs. Coppersley amiably,
human
I shall marry Henry and will be happy for evermore.
gpt
What about me?
human
You can stay here until you marry, said Mrs. Coppersley coldly,
gpt
Do I ever do anything else?
human
Oh, dear me, yes, returned her aunt complacently.
gpt
You run after men.
human
That is a lie.
gpt
Oh, I'm a liar, am I? she said shrilly.
human
You call me a liar when I am only keeping you out of charity----
gpt
Stop! Bella flung up her hand and spoke firmly.
human
You are not doing that, Aunt Rosamund. In one way or another you have persuaded my father into leaving you what is rightfully mine. But I shall see Mr. Timson, and read the will; you shall not have it your own way altogether.
gpt
Go and see the will, by all means, she scoffed in a coarse voice;
human
So be it. Keep the farm, but give me the income. That, at least, you have no right to retain.
gpt
I have the right of possession, which is nine points of the law, miss, said Mrs. Coppersley violently,
human
Of whom are you talking?
gpt
Don't pretend ignorance, miss, for I won't have it. I mean Mr. Lister, as he calls himself, though I daresay he is no better than he should be.
human
You have no right to say that.
gpt
I'll say what I like and do what I like. Remember I am mistress; and as you depend entirely on me, miss, I order you to give up all idea of this Lister scamp and marry Silas Pence, who is----
human
I shall certainly not marry Silas Pence, or anyone but Cyril, said Bella in icy tones.
gpt
You have no right to interfere in----
human
No right! no right! she bellowed furiously.
gpt
I have every right. This house is mine, and the food you eat is mine. If I turned you out you would have to starve, for I am certain that your fine lover would have nothing to do with you. He's a bad man; your father said so.
human
My father knew nothing of Mr. Lister.
gpt
He knew that he was bad; he said as much. Why --Mrs. Coppersley pointed a fat finger towards the round table in the centre of the room--
human
Mr. Lister gave me this, said Bella, putting it behind her back;
gpt
And you dare to bring into the house the picture of a wicked profligate whom your father hated,
human
My father being so good himself, said Bella ironically, and feeling quite cool.
gpt
Mr. Lister is not a profligate, Aunt Rosamund, and you are a bad woman!
human
Me a bad woman! she cried, puffing out her cheeks ludicrously;
gpt
Even a lady must be a woman,
human
Leave my house! leave my house,
gpt
No. I shall remain here until I know if the will is correct. I shall stay here, as I say, and shall receive polite treatment. If I do not, I shall dispute the will, and make things unpleasant.
human
That for all the harm you can do, she said coarsely.
gpt
The will stands good in law. I have made sure of that by consulting Mr. Timson, who drew it up. You can stay here for a week; at the end of that time you pack up and go.
human
Where to, Aunt Rosamund?
gpt
That's your look out, miss. But you don't stay here to spoil my honeymoon with my darling Henry.
human
Do you know what you are, Aunt Rosamund? she remarked coolly.
gpt
You are a bully, and a petty tyrant. While my father was alive you cringed to him because you were afraid. Now that you think you have the whip hand of me, you vent your spite on one whom you think cannot retaliate. If I had the money, you would cringe to me; as you have it, you take every advantage of your position. But it won't do, Aunt Rosamund, for I am not the girl to submit to your insults. I shall stop here so long as it pleases me to stop, and if you make yourself disagreeable I shall know what to do.