I don't deny that
she may act from a mixture of motives. I don't deny that she clings
to the hope of hastening her marriage, and to the hope of rescuing
her sister from a life of dependence. But if both those objects were
accomplished by other means, nothing would induce her to leave you in
possession of the inheritance which her father meant his children to
have. I know her, Mr. Vanstone! She is a nameless, homeless, friendless
wretch. The law which takes care of you, the law which takes care of
all legitimate children, casts her like carrion to the winds. It is your
law--not hers. She only knows it as the instrument of a vile oppression,
an insufferable wrong. The sense of that wrong haunts her like a
possession of the devil. The resolution to right that wrong burns in her
like fire. If that miserable girl was married and rich, with millions
tomorrow, do you think she would move an inch from her purpose? I tell
you she would resist, to the last breath in her body, the vile injustice
which has struck at the helpless children, through the calamity of
their father's death! I tell you she would shrink from no means which a
desperate woman can employ to force that closed hand of yours open, or
die in the attempt!"
She stopped abruptly.
Pages:
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483