"Worth while!" he said. "Worth while!--when your son's future may depend
on the judgment you form."
The sharpness of his tone called the red also to Lady Lucy's cheek.
"Can anything that may be said now alter the irrevocable?" she asked, in
protest.
"It cannot bring the dead to life; but if you are really more
influenced in this matter by the heinousness of the crime itself, by the
moral infection, so to speak--that may spring from any kinship with
Juliet Sparling or inheritance from her--than by any dread of social
disgrace or disadvantage--if that be true!--then for Oliver's sake--for
that poor child's sake--you _ought_ to listen to me! There, I can meet
you--there, I have much to say."
He looked at her earnestly. The slight, involuntary changes of
expression in Lady Lucy, as he was speaking, made him say to himself:
"She is _not_ indifferent to the social stigma--she deceives herself!"
But he made no sign of his perception; he held her to her word.
She paused, in evident hesitation, saying at last, with some coldness:
"If you wish it, Sir James, of course I am quite ready to listen. I
desire to do nothing harshly.
Pages:
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312