Of course, she'll know all there
was in the papers. But my mother claims a deal more than the trust
money--jewels, and that kind of thing. And Uncle Mallory treated us
shamefully about them--_shamefully_! That's why I'm come over. I made
mother let me! Oh, she's so soft, is mother, she'd let anybody off. But
I said, 'Diana's rich, and she _ought_ to make it up to us! If nobody
else'll ask her, I will!'"
The girl had grown pale, but it was a pallor of determination and of
passion. Mrs. Colwood had listened to the torrent of words, held against
her will, first by astonishment, then by something else. If it should be
her duty to listen?--for the sake of this young life, which in these few
weeks had so won upon her heart?
She retraced a few steps.
"Miss Merton, I do not understand what you have been saying. If you have
any claim upon Miss Mallory, you know well that she is the soul of
honor and generosity. Her one desire is to give everybody _more_ than
their due. She is _too_ generous--I often have to protect her. But, as I
have said before, it is not for me to discuss any claim you may have
upon her."
Fanny Merton was silent for a minute--staring at her companion.
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