human
I shall put it all in the paper, she said, regarding the distressed, perspiring face of the lawyer with a grim, almost taunting smile, as if she actually relished his consternation.
gpt
What I want you to do, first off, Andrew, is to prepare some sort of affidavit, setting forth the facts, which I will sign and swear to. It needn't be a long document. The shorter the better, just so it makes everything clear.
human
But, my dear Mrs. Gwyn, this--this may dispossess you of everything, remonstrated the agitated man of law.
gpt
The fact that you were never the wife of Robert--
human
Your memory needs refreshing, she interrupted.
gpt
If you will consult Robert Gwyn's will you will discover that he leaves half of his estate, et cetera, to 'my beloved and faithful companion and helpmate, Rachel, who, with me, has assumed the name of Gwyn for the rest of her life in view of certain circumstances which render the change in the spelling of my name advisable, notwithstanding the fact that in signing this, my last will and testament, I recognize the necessity of affixing my true and legal name.' You and I know the sentence by heart, Andrew. No one can or will dispute my claim to the property. I have thought this all out, you may be sure,--just as he thought it all out when he drew up the paper. I imagine he must have spent a great deal of time and thought over that sentence, and I doubt if you or any other lawyer could have worded it better.
human
Of course, if the will reads as you say,--er,--ahem! Yes, yes,--I remember now that it was a--er--somewhat ambiguous. Ahem! But it has just occurred to me, Mrs. Gwyn, that you are going a little farther than is really necessary in the matter. May I suggest that you are not--er--obliged to reveal the fact that you were never married to him? That, it seems to me, is quite unnecessary. If, as you say, your object is merely to set matters straight so that your daughter and Mr. Gwynne may be free to marry, being in no sense related either by blood or by law,--such as would have been the case if you had married Kenneth's father,--why, it seems to me you can avoid a great deal of unpleasant notoriety by--er--leaving out that particular admission.
gpt
No, she said firmly.
human
Thank you for your kind advice,--but, if you will reflect, it is out of the question. You forget what you have just said. For a lawyer, my dear friend, you are surprisingly simple to-day.
gpt
I see,--I see, mumbled the lawyer, mopping his brow.
human
Of course,--er,--you are quite right. You are a very level-headed woman. Quite so. I would have thought of it in another moment or two. You can't leave out that part of it without--er--nullifying the whole object and intent of your--er--ahem!--I was about to say confession, but that is a nasty word. In other words, unless you acknowledge that you and Robert were never lawfully married, the--er--
gpt
Exactly, she broke in crisply.
human
That is the gist of the matter. Society does not countenance marriage between step-brother and -sister. So we will tell the whole truth,--or nothing at all. Besides, Robert Gwyn put the whole story in writing himself, as I have told you. The hiding-place of that piece of paper is still a mystery, but it will be found some day. I am trying to take the curse off of it, Andrew.
gpt
I suppose you realize the consequences, Mrs. Gwyn? It means ostracism for you. You will not have a friend in this town,--not a person who will speak to you, aside from the storekeepers who value your custom and --he bowed deeply--
human
I fully appreciate what it means, she responded wearily.
gpt
It means that if I continue to hold my head up or dare to look my neighbour in the face I shall be called brazen as well as corrupt, she went on after a moment, a sardonic little twist at the corner of her mouth.
human
Well, so be it. I have thought of all that. Have no fear for me, my friend. I have never been afraid of the dark,--so why should I fear the light?
gpt
You're a mighty fine woman, Rachel Gwyn,
human
None of that, if you please, she remarked tersely.
gpt
Will you have the paper ready for me to sign this afternoon?
human
I will submit it to you right after dinner.
gpt
You may expect me here at two o'clock. We will then step over to the Free Press and allow Mr. Semans to copy the document for his paper. She allowed herself a faint smile.
human
I daresay he can make room for it, even if he has to subtract a little from his account of the stirring events of yesterday.
gpt
Your story will make a great sensation, declared the lawyer, wiping his brow once more.
human
He can't afford to--er--to leave it out.
gpt
This is like signing your own death warrant, Rachel Gwyn,
human
No. I am signing a pardon for two guiltless people who are suffering for the sins of others.
gpt
That reminds me, he began, pursing his lips.
human
I have been reflecting during your absence. Has it occurred to you that this act of yours is certain to react with grave consequences upon the very people you would--er--befriend? I am forced to remind you that the finger of scorn will not be pointed at you alone. Your daughter will not escape the--er--ignominy of being--ahem!--of being your daughter, in fact. Young Gwynne will find his position here very greatly affected by the--er--
gpt
I quite understand all that, Andrew. I am not thinking of the present so much as I am considering the future. The past, so far as we all are concerned, is easily disposed of, but these two young people have a long life ahead of them. It is not my idea that they shall spend it here in this town,--or even in this State.
human
You mean you will urge them to leave Lafayette forever?
gpt
Certainly.
human
But if I know Viola,--and I think I do,--she will refuse to desert you. As for Gwynne, he strikes me as a fellow who would not turn tail under fire.
gpt
In any case, Andrew, it will be for them to decide. Kenneth had already established himself as a lawyer back in the old home town. I shall urge him to return to that place with Viola as soon as they are married. His mother was a Blythe. There is no blot upon the name of Blythe. My daughter was born there. Her father was an honest, God-fearing, highly respected man. His name and his memory are untarnished. No man can say aught against the half of Kenneth that is Blythe, nor the half of Viola that is Carter. I should like the daughter of Owen Carter to go back and live among his people as the wife of the son of Laura Blythe, and to honourably bear the name that was denied me by a Gwynne.