Pardon me if I observe that there is a want of
delicacy--of--a--hem--right-mindedness in the transaction."
"The imputation contained in your remarks is not a pleasant one, Mr.
Greenwood," Valentine remarked quietly; "but I am quite willing to pardon
any injustice which you may inflict upon me by your desire to protect the
interests of your client. I think you will speedily discover that those
interests are in no way endangered by the lady's marriage with me. There
are social complications which are not to be settled by either law or
equity. Miss Halliday's surroundings of the last few months were of a
very painful nature; so painful, that the legal protection of marriage
became the only means of saving her from imminent peril. I cannot enter
more fully into those painful circumstances. I can only assure you that I
married your client with the consent and approval of her only near
relation, and uninfluenced in the smallest degree by mercenary
considerations. Whatever post-nuptial settlement you please to make for
my wife's protection I shall promptly execute."
"You express yourself in a very honourable and highly creditable manner,
Mr. Hawkehurst," exclaimed the lawyer, with sudden cordiality; "and I beg
distinctly to withdraw any offensive observations I may have made just
now. Your own affairs are, I conclude, in a sufficiently solvent state?"
"I do not owe a sixpence.
Pages:
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513