“Oh, back in the early nineties. The quarrel was most acrimonious, particularly on Carew’s side. He must have realized that he had not acted fairly to his old friend. As long as he had assumed Winthrop’s debts it seemed only right that he should return the money owing to Lane. Public opinion was with the latter.”
“Perhaps at that time he may not have had the ten thousand,” suggested Eleanor. “I have always heard and believed the Senator an honorable man; and certainly it was good of him to shoulder any of his brother-in-law’s debts.”
“He only did it to protect his sister, who was left penniless, and quiet scandal.”
“Mrs. Winthrop penniless! Why, how comes it, Cousin Kate, that she lives as she does.”
“Senator Carew gave her a large allowance. He always said that Cynthia should inherit his fortune.”
“I never knew until the other day that Philip Winthrop was not Mrs. Winthrop’s son.”
“She adopted him legally, I believe, at the time of her husband’s death, and persuaded her brother, the Senator, to have him brought up as one of the family. Philip Winthrop’s first wife was a South American, I am told. I never saw her, as she died before he came to Washington. Mercy on us!” glancing at the clock, “I had no idea it was so late.” She rose and started for the door. “How did you leave Cynthia?”
“Sound asleep, thank Heaven!”
“Did she and Fred Lane patch up their quarrel?”
“I am afraid not.” Eleanor kissed her cousin a warm good night, and watched her cross the wide hall to her bedroom, then closed and locked her own door and hastened to complete her undressing.