"On the contrary, after the first I gave you very little thought, George. I was concerned in making sure the future of Meredith's child."
"Did you forget that she was also mine?"
"I tried to. After a bit, I did—after the identities of the babies became blurred. If you stop to think and are just, you will understand that I took a desperate chance to accomplish the most good to Meredith's child. That is all that seemed to count. Suppose you could claim your child now, would its future be as secure as it would be with me? Have you really the child's interest at heart—you, who left its mother to——"
"The mother—left me! Don't overlook facts, Doris." Thornton's face flamed angrily.
"Yes. In self-defence she left you!" Doris held him with eyes heavy with misery. "I knew everything necessary to know, George, that enabled me to take this step."
"But not enough to make you pause and consider!" A bitterness rang in the words.
"There are some occasions when one cannot, dare not, consider," said Doris.
Thornton got up and paced the room. Suddenly he turned like a man at bay.
"But the inheritance?" he flung out.
"I told you, George, it was the inheritance that forced me to it."