publicly, as they would, especially my two little daughters, if your
disgrace were made public. It happens to be with us that a father's
falling in this direction does not so seriously, if at all, affect his
children; therefore, for their sake, instead of my divorcing _you_, I
am going to give you proof and witness by which you may divorce _me_,
for your own sin. But there are certain conditions with which you must
comply. I will send by my lawyer a paper, which you will sign in the
presence of witnesses before any further steps are taken. In this paper
you will agree on your securing your divorce to marry Tolby. I have had
an interview with him (this is not an age nor a country of duels), and
I demanded that he make me the reparation of marrying you when you are
free. I must frankly say from his manner I do not judge him over
anxious. I believe even a duel with pistols would on the whole have
pleased Tolby better. It is true that precedent is not in his favor.
His own experience with you will doubtless make him a little uneasy. To
continue: You are to marry him. You are to demand of me in your suit
the sum of $---- (and do not be uneasy, you will win your suit). This
will be convenient for you when you re-marry, for you know Tolby hasn't
a cent. It will be a real love match on your part, charming! You are to
give all my mother's jewels to our oldest daughter on her marriage, and
all the jewels I have ever given you to our second on hers. Should the
girls not marry at twenty-five, they are then to have the jewels. As to
the children I shall have to submit, in my role of the guilty party, to
letting you have control over them; but I warn you that this is to be
only nominal. If ever I find you prejudicing either one of them
_against me in any way whatever_--even if I find their affections are
being alienated from me by some sort of public opinion or gossip--I
warn you that when each one is old enough to understand he shall be
told the _truth_. You had better look to it then that my children love
me. Your own hold over their affections rests upon it. These points,
and a few others bearing upon them, will be set forth legally in the
paper which my lawyer will bring you. Kindly send me word if you are
prepared to sign, and, if so, when Mr. Jordan or his representative may
call. Good bye.

JOHN STUART KENNINGTON.

II

_From Mrs. John Stuart Kennington, by Special Messenger, to the law
firm of Jordan & Fields._

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