Quest.
"James de la Molle, Esq., J.P., D.L."
"I see now," said Ida. "Mr. Cossey has no further hold on the
mortgages or on the property."
"That's it," said the Squire; "he has transferred them to that
rascally lawyer. And yet he told me--I can't understand it, I really
can't."
At this point the Colonel insisted upon leaving, saying he would call
in again that evening to see if he could be of any assistance. When he
was gone Ida spoke in a cold, determined voice:
"Mr. Cossey told me that when we married he would put those mortgages
in the fire. It now seems that the mortgages were not his to dispose
of, or else that he has since transferred them to Mr. Quest without
informing us."
"Yes, I suppose so," said the Squire.
"Very well," said Ida. "And now, father, I will tell you something. I
engaged myself--or, to be more accurate, I promised to engage myself--
to Edward Cossey on the condition that he would take up these
mortgages when Cossey and Son were threatening to foreclose, or
whatever it is called."
"Good heavens!" said her astonished father, "what an idea!"
"I did it," went on Ida, "and he took up the mortgages, and in due
course he claimed my promise, and I became engaged to marry him,
though that engagement was repugnant to me.
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