"Well, then," said Adeline, "I will never let the place be sold in the
world. I--" She caught Suzette's eye and faltered, and then went on
piteously, "I didn't know what we should have to do when I promised. But
I'll keep my promise; yes, I will. We needn't sign the papers to-night,
need we, Mr. Putney? It'll do in the morning?"
"Oh, yes; just as well," said Putney. "It'll take a little time to draw
up the writings."
"But you can send word to Mr. Hilary at once?" Suzette asked.
"Oh, yes; if you wish."
"I do."
"It won't be necessary."
"I wish it."
Since the affair must so soon be known to everybody, Putney felt
justified in telling his wife when he went home. "If that poor old girl
freely consented, it must have been at the point of the hairpin. Of
course, the young one is right to obey her conscience, but as a case of
conscience, what do you think of it, Ellen? And do you think one ought
to make any one else obey one's conscience?"
"That's a hard question, Ralph. And I'm not sure that she's right. Why
should she give up her property, if it was hers so long ago before the
frauds began? Suppose he were not their father, and the case stood just
as it does?"
"Ah, there's something very strange about the duty of blood."
"Blood? I think Suzette Northwick's case of conscience is a case of
pride," said Mrs. Putney. "I don't believe she cares anything about the
right and wrong of it. She just wishes to stand well before the world.
She would do anything for that. She's as _hard_!"
"That's what the world will say, I've no doubt," Putney admitted.