"Then if Miss Morison will promise to continue the donations of Mrs.
Frostwinch, the position of the beneficiaries will be the same toward
her as toward Mrs. Frostwinch."

Maurice bent forward quickly, unable longer to maintain an appearance
of calm.

"Father Frontford," he exclaimed, "you certainly cannot ask this of
Miss Morison! It would be sheer impertinence! I beg your pardon, but I
cannot help saying it. Besides, there is something horribly cold-
blooded in talking about what shall be done with the property of Mrs.
Frostwinch when she is dead. Miss Morison would not listen to anything
of the sort."

"The circumstances justify what otherwise would be inadmissible. It is
necessary, Mrs. Wilson thinks, to be able to tell those men that their
situation is not changed by the death of Mrs. Frostwinch, which is
almost sure to take place before the convention. You must explain that
to Miss Morison."

"I!"

"The obligation which she is under to you," the Father said, ignoring
the exclamation, "will naturally incline her to listen."

"But I cannot"--

"I had thought that it was mine to decide what you could and should
do."