I have shown Brokaw a ray
of hope. He will hand over to you all his rights in the company
and the six hundred thousand in the treasury. He will sign over to
you, as repurchase money for whatever stock you wish to call in,
practically his whole fortune--five hundred thousand. He will
disappear, completely and forever. Eileen and I will hunt out our
own little corner in a new world, and you will never hear of us
again. This is what we have planned to do, if you show us mercy."
Philip had not spoken during Gregson's terrible recital. He sat
like one turned to stone. Rage, wonder, and horror burned so
fiercely in his heart that they consumed all evidence of emotion.
And to arouse him now there came an interruption that sent the
blood flushing back into his face--a low knock at the closed door,
a slow lifting of the latch, the appearance of Jeanne. Through her
tears she saw only the man she loved, and sobbing aloud now, like
a child, she stretched out her arms to him; and when he sprang to
her and caught her to his breast, she whispered his name again and
again, and stroked his face with her hands. Love, overpowering,
breathing of heaven, was in her touch, and as she lifted her face
to him of her own sweet will now, entreating him to kiss her and
to comfort her for what she had lost, he saw Gregson moving with
bowed head, like a stricken thing, toward the outer door.
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