I have
only one thing to say to you. I am leaving this part of the world
altogether. I shall not return. That child has some foolish scruples
about taking any more of my money. That arises through your confounded
interference. She is poor, almost in want. If you should fail her
now--"
Aynesworth interrupted with a hoarse little laugh.
"Wingrave," he said, "are you playing the simpleton? If Juliet will
not take your money, why should she take mine?"
Wingrave came out from his place. He was standing now between
Aynesworth and the door.
"Aynesworth," he said, "do I understand that you are not going to
marry the child?"
"I? Certainly not!" Aynesworth answered.
Wingrave remained quite calm, but there was a terrible light in his
eyes.
"Now, for the first time, Aynesworth," he said, "I am glad that you
are here. We are going to have a complete understanding before you
leave this room. Juliet Lundy, as my ward, was, I believe, contented
and happy. It suited you to disturb our relations, and your excuse for
doing so was that you loved her. You took her away from me, and now
you say that you do not intend to marry her. Be so good as to tell me
what the devil you do mean!"
Aynesworth laughed a little bitterly.
"You must excuse me," he said, "but a sense of humor was always my
undoing, and this reversal of our positions is a little odd, isn't it?
I am not going to marry Juliet Lundy because she happens not to care
for me in that way at all.
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