Anyhow, I am convinced that it was more to prevent Mrs.
Conway's son from getting this money than to get it themselves that they have concealed this will, or rather that they refuse to point out its place of concealment." "But it does seem hard, papa, that Mr.Penfold should have left everything to Ralph and me and nothing to his sisters." "The Miss Penfolds have a very comfortable income of their own, Mabel, and their brother might very well have thought there was no occasion for them to have more; beside, although they lived in his house, and indeed managed it and him, Mr.Penfold had, I know, strong reason to believe that they had ruined his life.

But this is a matter into which we need not go.

Well, Mabel, the Miss Penfolds have just given a proof that they do not dislike you.

Now I will read you this letter, because I think you ought to know it has been written, and I will then tell you the reasons why your mother and I think that the offer cannot be accepted." Mabel listened in silence until her father had finished the arguments he had used with his wife, with the exception only of that relating to the Miss Penfolds' motives in putting in the condition concerning Mabel's marriage.

When he ceased speaking she exclaimed indignantly, "Of course, papa, we could not take the money, not if it were ten times as much! Why, we could not look Mrs.Conway and Ralph in the face again! Beside, how could we speak to people one believes to have done such a wicked thing ?" "Very well, Mabel.