Part 66 (1/2)
”Meg,” said Le Moyne, ”I can hardly forgive you for your cruelty toward my brother's child, and only that I know that it is Zula's wish, do I spare you the full extent of justice that belongs to you.
Leave the city and never dare to return. I will attend to your brother John and his mining stock later on.”
”I'll go,” said Crisp, s.h.i.+vering.
”But you promised to take me to Rene,” said Meg, turning to Scott.
”To-morrow you may go and speak to her,” he said. ”She lies out there in the cemetery.”
”Dead?” shrieked Meg. ”Dead?”
”Yes, dead,” said Scott, ”and she told me ere she died, how she had sinned against me, and of your son's attempt to take my life.”
”Dead!” Meg repeated. ”Oh, I wanted to see her just once more, for the gypsy's curse is here yet.”
”Stay your curses, Meg; they cannot harm her now,” said Zula.
”No, they can't harm her, but I'll have revenge on John--yes, and on you.”
”Take your son and leave the house, Meg,” Scott said. ”The coachman will drive you to your home.”
”Yes. I'll go, but I'll leave my curses behind me,” said Meg, as she followed Crisp out of the door.
”Mother,” Scott said, as he stepped to Zula's side, ”I want to ask you a question. I asked Miss Elsworth one day if she would be my wife.
She would not consent until she had told me the story of her life. I loved 'Auralia' before I ever saw her, and I loved Miss Elsworth. I pitied the child Zula, and Paul I could not live without. Since they are all one, are you willing that I should repeat the request, and if she consents can you love her with a mother's love?”
”Oh, Scott,” said Mrs. Wilmer, with tearful eyes, ”I am not worthy the love of such a daughter.”
Scott raised Zula's hand, and clasping it firmly, said:
”Zula, I said once that I could not live without Paul, and when he came back I should take him into partners.h.i.+p. What do you think of the offer?”
”I think that if you and your partner can agree as well as you and your valet that as a firm you will prosper.”
”Heaven bless you, my children,” said Mrs. Wilmer, fervently. ”Be happy in the love of each other.”