– Thank you, John. I'll see her later," Anthony answered the footman indifferently; he had no time to talk to his mother, and the only thing he wanted at the moment was to retire to his chambers, close the dark curtains, take off his ruined suit, lie down in his wide bed, and sleep until dinner.

– Lady Cranford wishes to see you immediately, sir," added footman John cautiously.

This phrase made Anthony feel irritated: was his mother, after all, determined to show her authority and give him, her son, an order? After all, it was an explicit, not at all veiled order, and this fact made the young man think that it would not be time for him to move out and thus get rid of his mother's insistent care?

But Anthony could not offend his mother: he respected her too much and appreciated everything she did for him.

Lady Cranford could have thrown her son out of Greenhall, for he was a grown man in his own right, but instead she rejoiced at his constant presence in the house, and paid his bills, which were not insignificant, for Anthony was fond of amusements of all kinds, hunting, and expensive, tailored suits and shoes. In addition, between mother and son since his birth established a warm affectionate relationship. So this time the young gentleman was ready to forgive his mother her order and obediently went to the place where he was expected.

The study in which Lady Cranford spent six hours every day was on the third floor, at the end of a long, bright corridor. Like the rest of the house, the Dowager Countess's study was cold, bright, and decorated with a pair of marble statues. Here the mistress of the house personally dealt with economic affairs, reconciling accounts, reading books and writing letters. She was a clever woman, and she held the reins of Greenhall in her own hands alone, needing neither counsellors nor secretaries.

– Good afternoon, mother," Anthony said, entering the study without knocking.

– Good afternoon, my dear," Lady Cranford answered him with a smile. – 'Do sit down. You don't look well.

The Countess had been counting the money she had spent on the house for the past month, but she put aside her papers and gestured to a chair against one of the walls.

– You are quite right, Mother, and I am very tired, and perhaps I shall fall asleep right here in your study, at your desk," Anthony grinned, and picked up the chair indicated to him and placed it opposite his mother's black lacquered desk.

– You need a drink of water. I'll call the servants right away…" Lady Cranford began, feeling somewhat guilty for not allowing Anthony to rest after a hard night's work. But this time her heart obeyed reason: no matter how tired her favourite son was, she was not going to postpone a serious conversation about his future.

– Thank you, it is not necessary," Anthony interrupted her insistently, wishing to hear a sermon or a reprimand as soon as possible, and then to shut himself up in his chamber and go to sleep. – You ordered me to come, and here I am. I am listening to you, mother.

Her son's cold tone did not embarrass the Countess. She folded her hands on her stomach, leaned back slightly in her chair and said:

– 'I think it's time we clarified the situation, my dear.

– What situation? – Anthony was sincerely surprised.

– Your future depends only on you. I hope you remember that a beneficial marriage....

– …this is my only chance for a trouble-free future, for I'm not fit for the army or anything else," young Cranford interrupted his mother in a bored tone.