"I'm not thinking of the course," she interrupted. "What you have done with Philip Hamlen is simply wonderful!"
"You must give your boy his share of the credit; his influence over Hamlen is no less than mine."
"I am glad my son could do something toward paying his mother's debt," she replied feelingly. "Now if you and I can complete the work I shall feel that restitution has been amply made."
"You refer to your daughter?"
"Yes; if I can see Merry married to Philip Hamlen I shall be blissfully content."
Huntington did not reply at once. He must be fair to this woman of whose determination he could now have no doubt; he must be fair to Hamlen, but above all he must be fair to the girl herself. Could he assume any position of impartiality? Would not each word really be a cry from his own heart, not against Hamlen but against any one who should create a barrier between himself and her? But Hamlen had besought his aid, so after all a responsibility existed, not of his making, which could not be shirked. He would meet the issue squarely with special care to eliminate himself.
"I regret to say that I cannot sympathize with that plan," he said deliberately.
Mrs. Thatcher looked at him in complete surprise. "I thought we agreed—"
"I have had greater opportunity to study Hamlen since we last talked."
She was genuinely distressed by Huntington's attitude. "I have set my heart upon it," she said firmly. "Through me his life was wrecked; it would be only justice if I helped him to find his happiness."