"Don't float off into your mysticism," I said. "Let us keep our feet
on the earth. You may be sincere, or you may not--it is impossible for
me to say. But I know this--it is not fair to that child to take her
at her word. She doesn't realise what she is doing. I don't know what
it is you plan for her, but before you do anything, she must have a
chance to find herself. She must be taken out of this atmosphere into
a healthier one, until she has rallied from the shock of her father's
death, and emerged from the shadow of his influence. She must have
time to get back her self-control. Then, if she chooses to return,
well and good."
"To all your 'musts,' Mr. Lester," retorted Silva, "I can only say
that I am willing. I have not lifted a finger to detain her. But what
if she will not go?"
"Then she must be made to go."
"Another 'must'!" he rejoined lightly. "I would remind you that she is
mistress of her own actions. Neither you nor I can compel her to do
anything she does not wish to do. It has been a great happiness to me
that she has chosen as she has; it would have been a great sorrow to
me had she decided differently.
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