"You do not want to know why?"
"Oh, I know you admired him. You told me so."
"Yes, that in part. I did admire him. He was what I have never been. I wish he was here now. I should like to look at that face of his before I die. But it was not for his sake that I left him the money. Why, he could get it without me if he needed it! You don't ask me why?"
In his excitement he had painfully pulled himself higher up on his pillows, and his head was on the level with hers now. He looked right into her eyes. She was very pale, but calm and self-controlled.
"I don't know," she said. "Why have you?"
"It will make him independent of your husband," said the Baron.
Mrs. Dennison dropped her eyes and raised them again in a swift, questioning glance.
"Yes, and of you. He need not look to you now."
He paused and added, slowly, punctuating every word,
"You will not be necessary to him now."