"
"Then you do not disapprove of me as a mother."
"My dear Mrs. Jasher," said Lucy, coldly, "there is no
relationship between me and my step-father beyond the fact that
he married my mother. Therefore you can never be my mother.
Were I stopping on at the Pyramids, that question might arise,
but as I become Mrs. Hope in six months, we can be friends--
nothing more."
"I am quite content with that," said Mrs. Jasher in a
businesslike way. "After all, I am no sentimentalist. But I am
glad that you do not mind my marrying the Professor, as I don't
want you to prevent the match, my dear."
Lucy laughed.
"I assure you that I have no influence with my father, Mrs.
Jasher. He will marry you if he thinks fit and without
consulting me. But," added the girl with emphasis, "I do not see
what you gain in becoming Mrs. Braddock."
"I may become Lady Braddock," said the widow, dryly. Then, in
answer to the open astonishment on Lucy's face, she hastened to
remark: "Do you mean to say that you don't know your father is
heir to a baronetcy?"
"Oh, I know that," rejoined Miss Kendal. "The Professor's
brother, Sir Donald Braddock, is an old man and unmarried. If he
dies without heirs, as it seems likely, the Professor will
certainly take the title.
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