She turned a look of splendid scorn upon him.
Could he not find it in his soul to conceive of strict justice? Did he not know the meaning of generosity? How mean, then, was his heart, which ascribed such abject meanness to her?
"No; I did not think of that," said she. "You shall have every shilling of your property, Colonel Brand."
"By Jove, you amaze me!" cried he, rising to approach near her. "Then you have decided to marry me, after all, and let us both have the lands?"
His exultation shone out in his evil countenance, and sent him hastily across the room to take her hand.
But Margaret shrank back, and with a strong frown waved him away.
What had frozen the generous words on her lips?
Why did she let him rush to every conclusion but the right one?
She had come into his presence to say:
"I freely give up my claim upon your property, and place the deeds entirely in your hands, wishing no further connection with it, or with you; and so—farewell!"