'The will of your father is herein denounced as eccentric—one that no court of law would enforce, nor could uphold, as in more than one instance it is not conceived in strictly legal terms, and, to all intents and purposes, can be put aside if you choose. Thus, Olive, you are free—free from all the bonds—if such ever existed—that seemed to bind you to me; and I thank God that it is so, and I shall go to Egypt, perhaps, with a lighter heart. All that now remains to be done is to take the means, if such are necessary, to have the document set aside as so much waste paper, and you duly made mistress of your inheritance, as you are now of age, in England, at least, where it is invested. Thus, you see, Olive, this opinion of counsel is most valuable to you.'
Her soft eyes were brimming over with tears now, as she mechanically took the document in her tremulous fingers.
'And thus you relinquish me?' she said.
'I relinquish, gladly, your fortune, and all control over your actions, if—you choose.'
'But I don't choose! Oh, Allan, how generous all this is of you. But I shall not be less so, nor will I act upon this opinion of counsel.'
'How?'
'See, thus!'
And, tearing it into pieces, she cast them into the fire-grate.
'Illegal as it may be, papa's will must be now a law to me more than ever.'
'And you, Olive?'