The judge smiled and released her hand. He sat back in his deep chair watching Adelle with kindly eyes. He seemed to see the woman's awakening mind slowly at work before him, struggling patiently to grasp what was still just beyond her comprehension.
"What shall I do?" she appealed finally. "Tell me!"
"There is something you can do—a very simple thing! I wonder it has not occurred to you before."
"What is it?" Adelle asked eagerly.
"You can give part of your own fortune—an exact half of it if you like—to these new cousins of yours, and so accomplish what you want without hurting any one but yourself."
"I don't think they would take the money that way—I don't believe he would!" Adelle said doubtfully.
"There are few persons," the judge observed indulgently, "who cannot be induced to take money in one way or another!"
"It isn't quite the same thing," Adelle said, in a disappointed tone. "I don't think he would like it that way."
"It amounts to the same thing in the end, doesn't it?"
"Perhaps."