All this I heard with satisfaction and even indifference, but the part
that stung me almost to exasperation was reserved for the last. Mr.
Bainrothe and Mr. Stanbury were named as executors conjointly with
Evelyn Erie, in the last mentioned of whom all power over my actions was
to vest until I should be of age, and in whose hands, as guardian, Mabel
and her property were exclusively intrusted until that time should
arrive; after that period her sisters were to act jointly, unless my
marriage were made without consent of Evelyn, in which case Mabel was to
be her charge alone.
No security was to be required of either executor, but, across Mr.
Gerald Stanbury's name two lines in ink had been drawn with a wavering
hand, as if for erasure.
I heard this last clause of the will with a beating, bounding, indignant
heart. Evelyn, who so hated Claude Bainrothe, had us both completely in
her power for the present, and might defer our marriage for years if it
so pleased her. And Mabel, toward whom she did not disguise her
indifference, was to be hers on this ground perhaps forever! Slavery for
four of the best years of my life was entailed on me, and bondage
forever on her, perhaps--my idol--my darling--mine--all mine by every
right of man or God!
The injustice was too palpable. It was almost incomprehensible to me how
he had been wrought upon to do these things--he, "a just man made
perfect.
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