"I have seen the plan of Latrigg Hall," said Julius one day to Sophia.
"An absurdly fine building for a man of Stephen's birth. What will he
do with it? It will require as large an income as Seat-Sandal to support
it."
"Stephen is rich. His grandfather left him a great deal of money. Ducie
will add considerably to the sum, and Stephen seems to have the faculty
of getting it. My mother says he is managing three 'walks,' and all of
them are doing well."
"Nevertheless, I do not like him. 'In-law' kinsmen and kinswomen are
generally detestable. Look at my brothers-in-law, Mr. Harry Sandal and
Mr. Stephen Latrigg; and my sisters-in-law, Mrs. Harry Sandal and Miss
Charlotte Sandal; a pretty undesirable quartette I think."
"And look at mine. For sisters-in-law, Mahal and Judith Sandal; for
brothers-in-law, William and Tom Sandal; a pretty undesirable quartette
I think."
Julius did not relish the retort; for he replied stiffly, "If so, they
are at least at the other end of the world, and not likely to trouble
you. That is surely something in their favor."
The first movement of the Julius Sandals in Seat-Sandal had been a
clever one. "I want you to let us have the east rooms, dear mother,"
said Sophia, on their arrival; "Julius does feel the need of the morning
sun so much." And though other rooms had been prepared, the request was
readily granted, and without any suspicion of the motive which had
dictated it.
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