human
Misfortunes, pursued Pauline, still gazing at the fire,
gpt
Does Miss Hadlow announce any misfortune?
human
Oh no!--at least, we are bound not to look on it as a misfortune. Who could wish him to linger, poor fellow? She is staying near Combe Park, and she says Lucius has been quite given up by the doctors. It is a question of days--perhaps of hours.
gpt
No? By George! Poor old Lucius!
human
Of course, this will make an immense difference in May's prospects. I don't mean to say that she will easily find another millionnaire, with such extraordinarily liberal ideas about settlements as Mr. Bragg hinted to me this morning; _that_ is, humanly speaking, not possible, said Mrs. Dormer-Smith solemnly.
gpt
Still, the affair may not be such an irretrievable disaster as we feared.
human
How do you mean?
gpt
It _must_ make a difference to her, repeated his wife in a musing tone.
human
The only child and heiress of the future Viscount Castlecombe, of course----
gpt
By George! I didn't think of that at the moment. Yes, Gus is the next. I suppose that's quite certain?
human
You say 'heiress,' but I don't think your uncle would leave Gus a pound more than he couldn't help leaving him.
gpt
I fear that is likely. Still, there is much of the land that must come to Augustus, and Uncle George has enormously improved the estate. Do you know I begin to hope that I may see my poor unfortunate brother come back and take his proper place in the world? When I remember what he was five-and-twenty years ago, it does seem cruel that he should have been absolutely eclipsed during all this time. I recollect so well the day he first appeared in his uniform. He was brilliant. Poor Augustus!