“Zie moral claim—zie claim of affection,” began the Greek; but Caroline interrupted him—
“Dr. Hermann is not the person fitly to remind me of these. They have not been much thought of in Janet’s case. I mean to act as justly as I can by my daughter, but I have absolutely nothing to give her at present. Till I know what my own means may prove to be I can do nothing.”
“But madame holds out zie hope of some endowment. I shall be in a condition to be independent of it, but it would be sweet to my wife as a token of pardon. I could bear away a promise.”
“I promise nothing,” was the reply. “If I have anything to give—even then, all would depend on your conduct and the line you may take. And above all, remember, it is in my power to frustrate and expose any attempt to misuse any hints that may have been stolen from my husband’s memoranda. In my power, and my duty.”
“Madame might have spared me this,” sighed the Athenian. “My poor Janette! She will not believe how her husband has been received.”
He was gone. Caroline dropped into a chair, but the next moment she almost screamed—
“Oh, we must not let him go thus! He may revenge it on her! Go after him, get his address, tell him she shall have her share if he will behave well to her.”
Jock fulfilled his mission according to his own judgment, and as he returned his mother started up.
“You have not brought him back!”
“I should rather think not!”