The seeming absurdity of such a statement acted like an electric shock to Allison.
“What do you mean?” she demanded, whirling haughtily around upon the speaker. “I may not be Adam Brewster’s own child—that is a fact which I am forced to admit; but that it deprives me of the fortune which he left me, by will, or of the position in society to which he reared me, I do not admit. Your authority as my guardian is not powerful enough for that, and you know, as well as I, that my father spent his life accumulating his money with the hope and the intention that I should inherit it.”
“Your conclusions are well drawn, Miss Brewster, and I should not presume, upon my own authority, to controvert them,” John Hubbard returned, with an air of mock humility and a deprecatory glance; “but, unfortunately, a power more potent than any which I possess is at work against your interests.”
“I do not understand you,” said Allison, coldly, but with a sinking heart, for the man’s manner was very ominous.
“Well, then, to bring the matter before you in a nutshell, a woman calling herself Mrs. Adam Brewster has recently presented herself, claiming to be the legal wife of your late father, so called, and certain property rights. In fact, she proposes to dispute Mr. Brewster’s will and your right of inheritance.”
“It is false! I do not believe it!” cried Allison, starting wildly to her feet. “Who is this woman? Where is she? I pronounce her an impostor!”
“Pray do not allow yourself to become excited, Miss Brewster,” said her companion, with formal politeness. “I foresaw, of course, that this would be a great trial to you, and I hoped that the matter might be compromised quietly—to save scandal and your feelings, you understand. It could have been so arranged if—if you had consented to become my wife. You would then have retained your proper position in life, and the loss of a part of your fortune need never have been known. I would have paid Mrs. Brewster what she demands, and the whole affair could have been hushed up, since she cares more for money than for the notoriety of becoming known as the late banker’s wife.”
“I do not believe one word of it! She is an impostor!” Allison reiterated. “My father never made a second marriage. He loved my mother far too well ever to put another in her place.”
“Ah, pardon me, Miss Brewster, but I fear that I have not even yet made myself quite plain,” returned the villain, his white teeth gleaming viciously under his mustache. “Mrs. Brewster does not claim that she is the second wife; she asserts that she is the first—the only wife——”
“What!” almost shrieked Allison, as she sank back, pale and breathless, upon her chair. “What is this that you dare tell me? Oh, you do not know what you are saying! You are making my lovely precious mother no wife at all!”