"The blackguard!" cried the Doctor, "but the police must be hot upon his
track."
"I fancy not," Mrs. Westmacott answered calmly. "As my brother is a
particularly tall, thin man, and as the police are looking for a short,
fat one, I do not think that it is very probable that they will catch
him. It is best, I think, that these little family matters should be
adjusted in private."
"My dear ma'am," said the Admiral, "if it is indeed this man's money
that has bought back my pension, then I can have no scruples about
taking it. You have brought sunshine upon us, ma'am, when the clouds
were at their darkest, for here is my boy who insists upon returning
the money which I got. He can keep it now to pay his debts. For what you
have done I can only ask God to bless you, ma'am, and as to thanking you
I can't even----"
"Then pray don't try," said the widow. "Now run away, Admiral, and make
your peace with Mrs. Denver. I am sure if I were she it would be a long
time before I should forgive you. As for me, I am going to America when
Charles goes. You'll take me so far, won't you, Ida? There is a college
being built in Denver which is to equip the woman of the future for the
struggle of life, and especially for her battle against man. Some months
ago the committee offered me a responsible situation upon the staff, and
I have decided now to accept it, for Charles's marriage removes the
last tie which binds me to England. You will write to me sometimes,
my friends, and you will address your letters to Professor Westmacott,
Emancipation College, Denver. From there I shall watch how the glorious
struggle goes in conservative old England, and if I am needed you will
find me here again fighting in the forefront of the fray. Good-bye--but
not you, girls; I have still a word I wish to say to you.
"Give me your hand, Ida, and yours, Clara," said she when they were
alone. "Oh, you naughty little pusses, aren't you ashamed to look me in
the face? Did you think--did you really think that I was so very blind,
and could not see your little plot? You did it very well, I must say
that, and really I think that I like you better as you are. But you had
all your pains for nothing, you little conspirators, for I give you my
word that I had quite made up my mind not to have him."