Chapter 40

“Barney Snaith is a scoundrel to have deluded you into marrying him,” said Uncle James violently. “Oh, _I_ did the deluding. I asked _him_ to marry me,” said Valancy, with a wicked smile. “Have you _no_ pride?” demanded Aunt Wellington. “Lots of it. I am proud that I have achieved a husband by my own unaided efforts. Cousin Georgiana here wanted to help me to Edward Beck.” “Edward Beck is worth twenty thousand dollars and has the finest house between here and Port Lawrence,” said Uncle Benjamin. “That sounds very f…