“Miss Frink,” cried Adèle, “you have no right to be speaking to Leonard as though he were a criminal when he never thinks of anything but your good. You were not here, and he acted for you.”
“Yes, madam,” said Mr. Goldstein, grave now that he saw the transaction was displeasing, “I certainly understood that everything was correct. I have acted in good faith.”
“I have no doubt of it,” returned Miss Frink. “Gather up that gold, if you please. My employes do not receive bribes.”
Mr. Goldstein mechanically obeyed, and his troubled gaze rested on her.
“But I have paid good money down to clinch this bargain,” he said.
Miss Frink’s genuine distress at her secretary’s sordid action lightened at some thought.
She smiled at her young people, and Grimshaw cast a baleful look at Hugh who had precipitated this scene. Anxiety again clutched at Millicent’s heart. Miss Frink had not been mercenary. She had not ignored the love of Colonel Duane for his simple, happy life, and she was powerful. The girl studied her face now for encouragement that, no matter how far matters had gone, she could save them.
“You should not withdraw from this, Miss Frink,” said Grimshaw, inspired by a fiery look from Adèle. “Indeed, it is not at all certain that you can do so, legally.”
The lady’s smile faded. “You didn’t delve into this matter quite far enough, Grim. Had you happened to examine my deposit box, you and I would both have been spared something. Mr. Goldstein”—the speaker turned to the would-be purchaser—“your money will be returned to you. Mr. Grimshaw was unaware that the Duane homestead does not belong to me any longer. I learned rather recently that some one dear to me had expressed admiration for it, and the last thing I did before leaving town was to transfer that property. I did not speak of the transaction to any one: not even to the new owner.”