week. You are bound to meet at some event or other.

"

"Then I shall not look forward to it. From what I hear of his
character, I think I shall find him a very disagreeable man
indeed."

Although Stephen was himself in awe of the formidable Lord

Kingsley's
character, nevertheless he gave his sister a look of mild
reproach.
"You can hardly judge a man so severely when you have not made
his
acquaintance."

"And why not, pray? I have just cause to think ill of him, as
well you
know."

Stephen sighed, finding the cause of his sister's resentment

towards
Lord Kingsley rather tiresome. "Seeing that you constantly
harp on
about it, how can anyone fail to be aware of your ill feeling
towards
him? It is the source of his wealth that irks you, is it not?"

"Yes, I admit it, the source of his wealth does disgust me, for
it is
well known that his fine house and gardens are maintained by
the
profits he makes on his plantation in the Indies--from the
misery of
others."

Her brother scowled disapprovingly across at her. "The same

can be
said of others. There are many among the aristocracy and
land-owning
families who own plantations in the West Indies from which they
derive
much of their wealth."

"And without the Negro slaves, all of them would no doubt face
absolute