arrington has asked my only sister to be
his wife, and their marriage is contingent merely on his financial
ability to maintain her comfortably. Mine is scarcely the proper hand
to pour the rich stream of your possessions into his empty coffers."

"I am well aware of the tie that binds your sister and Mr. Darrington."

"Since when have you known it?"

"No prison walls are sufficiently thick to turn the stream of gossip;
it trickles, oozes through all barriers. Exactly when or how I became
acquainted with your family secret is not germane to the subject under
consideration."

"Cognizant of the fact that Gen'l Darrington's adopted son was my
prospective brother-in-law, you have paid me the compliment of
believing that selfish, pecuniary motives incited my zeal in securing
your prosecution, for the loss of the fortune I coveted? Your heart
garners that insult to me?"

The only storm signal that defied his habitual control, was the intense
glow in his eyes where an electric spark rayed out through the blue
depths.

"I might tell you, that my heart is a sepulchre too crowded with dead
hopes to hold resentment against their slayer; but you have a right to
something more. I pay you the just tribute of grateful admiration for
the unselfish heroism that prompted you to plead so eloquently in
defence of a forsaken woman who, living or dead, defrauded your sister
of a brilliant fortune. You fought courageously to save me, and I am
quite willing you should know that it is partly due to my recognition
of your bravery in leading that forlorn hope, that I am anxious by
immediate reparation to restore matters to their original status. Life
is so uncertain I can leave nothing to chance; and when my will is
signed and sealed, and in your possession, I shall know that even if I
should be suddenly set free, Mr. Darrington and your sister will enjoy
their heritage. When you will have drawn up the paper send it to Mr.
Singleton. I will sign it in his presence and that of the doctor, which
will suffice for witnesses."

"In view of the peculiar provisions of the will, I prefer you should
employ some other instrument for its preparation. Judge Dent, Churchill
or Wolverton, will gladly serve you, and I will send to you whomsoever
you select. I decline to become the medium of transferring the accursed
money that cost you so dearly, to the man whom my sister expects to
marry."

"As you will; only let there be no delay. Ask Judge Dent to