Let the
dead bury their dead; the living owe themselves to each other. And what had
this wretched woman to do with either of you? It is a misfortune for Denis
to have been connected in any way with a man of Arthur Peyton's character;
but after all, poor Arthur did all he could to atone for the disgrace he
brought on us, by making Denis his heir--and I am sure I have no wish to
question the decrees of Providence." Mrs. Peyton paused again, and then
softly absorbed both of Kate's hands. "For my part," she continued, "I see
in it another instance of the beautiful ordering of events. Just after dear
Denis's inheritance has removed the last obstacle to your marriage, this
sad incident comes to show how desperately he needs you, how cruel it would
be to ask him to defer his happiness."
She broke off, shaken out of her habitual placidity by the abrupt
withdrawal of the girl's hands. Kate sat inertly staring, but no answer
rose to her lips.
At length Mrs. Peyton resumed, gathering her draperies about her with a
tentative hint of leave-taking: "I may go home and tell him that you will
not put off the wedding?"
Kate was still silent, and her visitor looked at her with the mild surprise
of an advocate unaccustomed to plead in vain.
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