blurt that out to Elizabeth, do you? Let her think it was the
overwhelming passion of the moment; something like that. A woman likes to
be appealed to, not defied. Particularly Elizabeth. Take my advice.
She'll open her arms to you after she's been stern as the devil for a
moment."

The boy caught his hand and wrung it.

"By the Lord, Uncle Vance," he said, "I certainly appreciate this!"

"Tush, Terry, tush!" said Vance. "You'll find that I'm with you and
behind you in more ways than you'd ever guess."

He received a grateful glance as they went down the broad stairs
together. At the door to the library Vance turned away, but Elizabeth
called to him and asked him in. He entered behind Terence Hollis, and
found Elizabeth sitting in her father's big chair under the window,
looking extremely fragile and very erect and proud. Across her lap was a
legal-looking document.

Vance knew instantly that it was the will she had made up in favor of
Terence. He had been preparing himself for the worst, but at this his
heart sank. He lowered himself into a chair. Terence had gone straight to
Elizabeth.

"I know I've done a thing that will cut you deeply, Aunt Elizabeth," he
said. "I'm not going to ask you to see any justice on my side. I only
want to ask you to forgive me, because--"

Elizabeth was staring straight at and through her protege.