Vanstone's daughters, as I answer for my own. That is the future which
my gratitude to their father and mother, and my love for themselves,
now offers to them. If you think my proposal, gentlemen, a fit and fair
proposal--and I see in your faces that you do--let us not make the
hard necessities of our position harder still, by any useless delay in
meeting them at once. Let us do what we must do; let us act on Norah's
decision, and leave this house to-morrow. You mentioned the servants
just now, Mr. Pendril: I am ready to call them together in the next
room, and to assist you in the settlement of their claims, whenever you
please."
Without waiting for the lawyer's answer, without leaving the sisters
time to realize their own terrible situation, she moved at once toward
the door. It was her wise resolution to meet the coming trial by doing
much and saying little. Before she could leave the room, Mr. Clare
followed, and stopped her on the threshold.
"I never envied a woman's feelings before," said the old man. "It may
surprise you to hear it; but I envy yours. Wait! I have something more
to say. There is an obstacle still left--the everlasting obstacle of
Frank.
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