“I could not take anything from this estate, sir,” Geoffrey said, suddenly growing crimson.
“Why not?” questioned his father.
“Because you married contrary to the conditions of your uncle’s will, so, in that case, I do not feel that I have any real right to any of it. If your marriage had been discovered, you would have had to forfeit all to your cousin, Miss Everet.”
“You are very conscientious,” replied Colonel Mapleson, gravely.
Then he suddenly looked up, with a wise smile.
“It has not occurred to you, I perceive,” he added, “that you could claim every dollar that Mrs. Mapleson and I possess. We both violated the conditions of that will; consequently, our fortunes rightly belonged to Robert Dale, and you, being his only heir, would inherit it all.”
Geoffrey looked amazed at this. Such a thought had not occurred to him; but now he could not fail to see the force of his father’s argument.
“I do not want it—I could not take it; I shall have more than enough from what will come to me from my mother,” he said.
“There are few people in the world who would not take all they could get,” replied Colonel Mapleson, feeling a certain pride in this noble renunciation of his son. “But, taking everything into consideration, it seems to me that matters are somewhat complicated with us. I suppose Mrs. Mapleson’s daughter—your adopted child, Mr. Huntress—will come in for her share of her mother’s property.”
August Huntress flushed.