"To have it known that she robbed us
and then tried to fortify herself by a marriage with me! I could not bear
it. I have made a fool of myself, Ray," he went on, with pitiable
humility, "but I don't want everybody discussing the mortifying details
of the affair. If you can prevail upon the lawyers to settle everything
quietly, do so, and, of course, Rider being a private detective, and in
our pay, will do as we say, and, my boy, you and I will ignore the
subject, after this, for all time."
Ray grasped his father's hand in heartfelt sympathy as he replied:
"We will manage to hush the matter, never fear. I am very sure that Mona
will also desire to do so, and though I should be glad to have that woman
reap the full reward of her wickedness I can forego that satisfaction for
the sake of saving her feelings and yours."
Then, as we know, he returned to the drawing-room where Mona called to
him to come and plead for the same thing.
The lawyers were both willing, for Mona's sake, to refrain from active
proceedings against Mrs. Montague if she would resign all Mr. Dinsmore's
property; but Mr. Rider objected very emphatically to this plan.
"It has been a tough case," he said, somewhat obstinately, "and it is no
more than fair that a man should have the glory of working it up.
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