“The law!” Lady Engleton looked startled. “Are you sure that the law would give you the custody of the child?”
“Sure of the law? My dear lady, one might as well be sure of a woman—pardon me; you know that I regard this quality of infinite flexibility as one of the supreme charms of your sex. I can’t say that I feel it to be the supreme charm of the law. Mrs. Temperley claims to have her authority through the mother, because she has the written consent of the aunt to the adoption, but I think this is rather stretching a point.”
“I fear it is, since the poor mother was dead at the time.”
“I can prove everything I have said to the satisfaction of anybody,” continued Theobald, “I think my claim to take charge of my child is well established, and you will admit the wish is not unreasonable.”
“It does you great credit, but, oh dear, it will be hard for Mrs. Temperley.”
“I fear it will. I am most grieved, but what am I to do? I must consider the best interests of the child.”
“Doubtless, but you are a trifle late, Professor, in thinking of that.”
“Would you prefer it to be never than late?”
“Heaven forbid!”
“Then I may rely on you to explain the position of affairs to Mrs. Temperley? You will understand that it is a painful subject between us.”