a
THERE I8 NO HURRY. 173

had before said. ‘1 cannot,” he added, * be
guilty of injustice to my children; but I can
merge all my own luxuries into the one of being
a father to the fatherless.”’

But to all the plans of Charles Adams, objec-
tions were raised by his eldest nephew and his
mother ; the youth could not brook the control
of a simple straight-minded cquntry man, whose
only claim to be considered a gentleman, in his
opinion, arose from his connexion with “ his
family.” He was also indignant with his ma-
ternal uncle for his broken promise, and these
feelings were strengthened by his mother’s folly.
Two opportunities for disposing of the house
and its magnificent furniture were missed ; and
when Mrs. Adams complained to her nearest
and most influential connexions that her brother-
in-law refused to make her any allowance un-
less she consented to live at Repton—expecting
that they would be loud in their indignation at his
hardness—they advised her by all means to do
what he wished, as he was really the only per-
son she had to depend upon. Others were lav-
ish of their sympathy, but sympathy wears out
quickly ; «others invited her to spend a month
with them at their country-seat, for change of
air; one hinted how valuable Miss Adams’ ex-
quisite musical talent would be now. Mary
coloured, and said, *“* Yes,”’ with the dignity of
proper feeling; but her mother asked the lady
what she meant, and a little scene followed,