"
And, in fact, the letter was, as we know, couched in no very
pleasant or conciliatory terms, and Graham was silenced for
the moment. At last, ----
"He appeals to your mother's memory on behalf of his child,"
he said.
"He does well to allude to our mother!" cried the Superior.
"Yes, I recognise him here. He does well to speak of her, when
he knows that he broke her heart. She adored him, Monsieur. He
was her one thought in life, when there were others who--who
perhaps--but all that signifies little now. But in appealing to
my mother's memory he suggests the strongest reason why, even
now that he is dead, I should refuse to be reconciled to his
memory."
Graham was confounded by her vehemence. What argument had he
to oppose to this torrent of bitter words? Or how reason with
such a woman as this--one with a show of right, too, on her
side, as he was bound to own? He did not attempt it, but gave
up the point at once, turning to a more practical
consideration.
"If you are not disposed to take charge of your little niece,
Madame," he said, "can you at least suggest any one in whose
care she can be left? I promised her father to place her in
your hands, but you must see it is impossible for me to take
any further responsibility on myself.
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