'I tell you, Stanley, plainly, I will not sell. The Brandon estate shall
not be diminished in my time.'

'Why, you perverse idiot, don't you perceive you impair the estate as
much by mortgaging as by selling, with ten times the ultimate danger. I
tell you _I_ won't mortgage, and _you shall sell_.'

'This, Sir, is the first time I have been spoken to in such terms.'

'And why do you contradict and thwart me upon business of which I know
something and you nothing? What object on earth can I have in impairing
the estate? I've as deep an interest in it as you. It is perfectly plain
we should sell; and I am determined we shall. Come now, Dorcas--I'm
sorry--I'm such a brute, you know, when I'm vexed. You mustn't be angry;
and if you'll be a good girl, and trust me in matters of business----'

'Stanley, I tell you plainly once more, I never will consent to sell one
acre of the Brandon estates.'

'Then we'll see what I can do without you, Dorkie,' he said in a
pleasant, musing way.

He was now looking down, with his sly, malign smile; and Dorcas could
almost fancy two yellow lights reflected upon the floor.

'I shall protect the property of my family, Sir, from your folly or your
machinations; and I shall write to Chelford, as my trustee, to come here
to advise me.'