“It is noble in you both,” he said, admiringly.
“But, Cecil, there is something else that distresses me very much, but grandpapa says I must accept it.”
“What is it, my Violet?”
“I—I—am his widow, you know. Is it not horrible to think of, dear? But it cannot be helped, you know, for the marriage was legal. But he had no relatives, and—and—he left me all his wealth—several millions, grandpapa says. I—I—wish to refuse it, but he says there is no way to do it. And the dying man begged I would accept it in atonement for all I had suffered through his sins.”
“And you wish to refuse it, my darling? But I do not blame you. There is Lena, whom he wronged so deeply. You can give it to her, Violet.”
“I have offered it to her, but she refused, for there are reasons that would make it dreadful for her to accept. And grandpapa has been saying that I am very foolish to refuse this fortune. He said I might do so much good with it—help the poor, you know—and—and”—shyly, “restore Bonnycastle when we are married. It tempted me a little, dear, for I should like to see Bonnycastle rebuilt—it will be my future home! So what shall I do, my darling?”
“You might think me mercenary if I counseled you to accept it, dear one, since you will be my wife. You must decide for yourself.”
“Then I will do as Mr. Castello wished, and as grandpapa counsels, for I shall then be very rich, and can do much good with the money.”
Cecil did not dissuade her, for he thought that she had suffered enough at Castello’s hands to merit this compensation. He did not covet the money for himself, but he knew that it would add to the happiness of his wife.
So she told Judge Camden she would accept the royal dower, and he was well pleased.