"Do be composed—I am tired of storms. You love the lady—I do not. I want money—you care nothing for it."
"Well, sir, well?"
"Really, it is difficult coming to the point, while you look so excited; but, if you will listen tranquilly, all this may be settled."
James sat down, with one hand pressed to his forehead.
"Go on, sir. I am listening."
"It is but just, as I said before, that you disburse the bulk of a property which originally came from the Harrington family. Give me a deed, conveying two-thirds of that property to my unrestricted control during life—I have no ambition to make wills—and the secrets of this book are safe. The west is broad, and most conveniently accommodating when marriage ties become irksome. Mabel can take that direction for her summer travels, while I remain here. In three months the fashionable world may thank us for a week's gossip, which I can very well endure. The world is large—there is California, Australia, or Europe—her second marriage in any of these countries would never be heard of."
James Harrington started up, shaking from head to foot; and so white, that the General half-rose, tempted to flee his presence.
"Tempter, hoary-headed fiend, how dare you!" broke from his white lips.
The old man faltered a little as he went on, and an anxious restlessness of the eye betrayed more emotion than he cared to make apparent.
"I neither tempt nor persuade. We have done each other great injury; this lady has been the cause, and in some sort the victim. After reading that book, it is impossible for this household to contain us all. I will not submit to be turned out a beggar, nor to live an hour longer on your munificence. The plan I offer is the only one that can be peaceably acted upon."