"You knew this when you asked me to allow Audrey--"
"Yes, I did," said Miss Pearl, with mulish obstinacy, "and you must let the codicil remain, also the allowance."
"I'm hanged if I will!" said Branwin, savagely. "Why should I give my hard-earned money to another man's brat?"
"What is two thousand a year to you?" demanded Rosy Pearl, scornfully. "Look what a reputation you will buy with it when the truth becomes known. It is worth the money. Besides, whatever your wife and Madame Coralie may have done--and I don't deny that they have acted very badly--Mrs. Shawe is at least innocent. She should not be punished."
"She shan't have the two thousand a year."
"Yes she shall. If you change your codicil, I change my mind."
Sir Joseph scowled at her. "You mean that you won't marry me?"
"Yes, I do. After all, I can make a better match if I so choose. Why, Lord Anvers asked me to marry him."
"What--when he was making love to my daughter--I mean to Audrey?'
"Yes. I thought that I could reform him, but he is a man of such a notoriously bad character that I decided to refuse him. But I have many offers, and I accept yours for certain reasons which I have no need to explain; but if you don't allow Mrs. Shawe this money I shall marry someone else. I assure you, Sir Joseph," said Miss Pearl, standing up in the full splendour of her beauty, "that I can marry anyone I like."