Poor Jo turned away.
"Nonsense, Mam'selle."
Law often thought this, too, so his denial was doubly intense.
"We'll find a way yet to get Donelle on the road that belongs to her. Ah! a letter," he broke in, seeing the postman waving an envelope from the cart.
Law went forward and took the letter, tore it open, and read the few words enclosed. It was from his lawyer. For a moment Anderson Law could not speak. The bright day seemed suddenly to darken. Then he said slowly, though his thoughts were swift:
"Mam'selle, Jim Norval is back in New York. He's not able to see just now; something's gone wrong with his eyes, and his legs, too. There's hope, but I must go." Then, as if inspired, "Mam'selle, I must take Donelle."
"No!" Jo sprang back as if Law had hit her.
"Mam'selle, I must take Donelle. Have these hurt boys, here, not taught you a lesson?"
"But, Mr. Law, this is not decent."
"Norval's wife died last summer, Mam'selle. He went abroad because there was nothing else for him to do. Now may I have Donelle?"