_Our_ lips don't burn to kiss those smooth cheeks. _Our_ arms don't
long to be round that supple waist. _We_ see through her smiles and her
graces, and her stays and her padding--she can't fascinate _us!_ Put a
woman in her way, Mr. Noel! Not a woman in my helpless situation, who
is only a servant, but a woman with the authority and the jealousy of
a Wife. Make it a condition, in your letter to the admiral, that if Mr.
George is a bachelor at the time of your death, he shall marry within
a certain time afterward, or he shall not have the legacy. Suppose he
remains single in spite of your condition, who is to have the money
then? Put a woman in your wife's way, sir, once more--and leave the
fortune, in that case, to the married sister of your cousin George."
She paused. Noel Vanstone again attempted to express his opinion, and
again Mrs. Lecount's hand extinguished him in silence.
"If you approve, Mr. Noel," she said, "I will take your approval for
granted. If you object, I will meet your objection before it is out of
your mouth. You may say: Suppose this condition is sufficient to answer
the purpose, why hide it in a private letter to the admiral? Why not
openly write it down, with my cousin's name, in the will? Only for one
reason, sir.
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