at I should be the one, and not some disinterested, callous outsider.
That is the way he puts it, and I have not denied him."

"It is horrible," she moaned, shuddering. "Why do you ask me to consent?
Why do you put it up to me?"

"You now place me in the position of the surgeon who advises a prompt--I
mean, who says that an operation is imperative."

"But that isn't the truth. You do not advise it."

He drew a long breath. "Yes, I do advise it. There is no other way. I
shall try to save him. I _do_ advise it."

She left him and went over to the fireplace, where she stood with her back
toward him for many minutes, staring into the coals. He did not change his
position. He did not even look at her. His eyes were fixed on the rug near
the closed door. There was a warm, soft red in that rare old carpet.
Finally she turned to him.

"I shall not let you take all of the responsibility, Braden," she said.
"It isn't fair. I shall not oppose you. You have my consent to go on with
it."

"I assume all responsibility," he said, abruptly, almost gruffly.

"You are wrong there, Braden," she said, slowly. "My husband assumes the
responsibility. It is his act, not yours. I shall always regard it in that
light, no matter what may happen. It is his command."

He tried to smile. "Perhaps that is the right way to look at it," he said,
"but it is a poor way, after all." For a full minute they stood looking
into each other's eyes. "Then I shall go ahead with the--arrangements," he
said, compressing his lips.

She nodded her head.

"Before I go any farther, Anne, I want to tell you what happened this
morning when his lawyer was here. I sent for him. There is a clause in my
grandfather's will bequeathing to me the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars. I insisted that a codicil be added to the instrument, revoking
that clause. My grandfather was obstinate at first. Finally he agreed to
discuss the matter privately with Judge Hollenback. A couple of hours ago
Wade and Murray witnessed the codicil which deprives me of any interest in
my grandfather's estate. I renounce everything. There will be no contest
on my part. Not a penny is to come to me."

She stared at him. "You refuse to take what rightfully belongs to you? Now
that _is_ quixotic, Braden. You shall not--"

"The matter is closed, Anne. We need not discuss it," he said firmly. "I
had to tell you, that's all. The reason should be obvious. You know, of
course, that the bulk of