She stopt, recollecting she was making a confession better deferred.

"That, madam," he answered, "may perhaps bear a little contention: for
when this business comes to be settled, it will be very essential to be
exact as to the time, even to the very hour; for a large income per
annum, divides into a small one per diem: and if your husband keeps his
own name, you must not only give up your uncle's inheritance from the
time of relinquishing yours, but refund from the very day of your
marriage."

"There is not the least doubt of it," answered she; nor will the
smallest difficulty be made."

"You will please, then, to recollect, madam, that this sum is every
hour encreasing; and has been since last September, which made half a
year accountable for last March. Since then there is now added---"

"Good Heaven, Sir," cried Cecilia, "what calculation are you making
out? do you call last week last September?"

"No, madam; but I call last September the month in which you were
married."

"You will find yourself, then, sir, extremely mistaken; and Mr
Eggleston is preparing himself for much disappointment, if he supposes
me so long in arrears with him."

"Mr Eggleston, madam, happens to be well informed of this transaction,
as, if there is any dispute in it, you will find. He was your immediate