You may punish Mr.
Hallam, if you succeed in finding him; but will not the money be better
for you?"
"We have duties as citizens, Miss Hallam."
"There has been no wrong done which I cannot put right. No one knows
of this wrong but ourselves. I might plead mercy for so young a man,
might tell you that even justice sometimes wisely passes by a fault,
might remind you of my father and the unsullied honor of an old name;
yes, I might say all this, and more, but I only say, will you let me
assume the debt, and pay it?"
"How do you propose to do this, Miss Hallam?"
"The income from the estate is about L5,000 a year. I will make it
over to you."
"How will you live?"
"That is my affair."
"There may be very unpleasant constructions put upon your conduct--for
it will not be understood."
"I am prepared for that."
"Will you call for our answer in three hours?"
"Will you promise me to take no steps against my brother in the
interim?"
"Yes; we can do that. But if we refuse your offer, Miss Hallam?"
"I must then ask your forbearance until I see Lord Eltham and Squire
Horton. The humiliation will be very great, but they will not refuse
me."
She asked permission to wait in an outer office, and Mr. Page, passing
through it an hour afterward, was so touched by the pathetic motionless
figure in deep mourning, that he went back to his partner, and said,
"Thorley, we are going to agree to Miss Hallam's proposal; why keep
her in suspense?"
"There is no need.
Pages:
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223