At the same time I should like to say that under the peculiar circumstances of the case I should consider you altogether justified in accepting it." Ernestine drew herself up.

Once more in her finely flashing eyes and resolute air the lawyer was reminded of his old friend.
"I will tell you what I should call it, Mr.Cuthbert," she said, "I will tell you what I believe it is! It is blood-money." Mr.Cuthbert dropped his eyeglass, and rose from his chair, startled.
"Blood-money! My dear young lady! Blood-money!" "Yes! You have heard the whole story, I suppose! What did it sound like to you?
A valuable concession granted to two men, one old, the other young! one strong, the other feeble! yet the concession read, if one should die the survivor should take the whole.

Who put that in, do you suppose?
Not my father! you may be sure of that.

And one of them does die, and Scarlett Trent is left to take everything.

Do you think that reasonable?
I don't.