Peter, I
have just come from the bank, where I was recognized as of legal
age, and my guardian discharged. And perhaps I ought to explain
to you, Peter, that your friend, John Gilman, is not here because
this night is going to be a bad one for him. When you knew him
best he was engaged, or should have been, to Marian Thorne. When
you met him this time he really was engaged to Eileen. I don't
know what you think about Eileen. I don't feel like influencing
anyone's thought concerning her, so I'll merely say that today
has confirmed a conviction that always has been in my heart.
Katy could tell you that long ago I said to her that I did not
believe Eileen was my sister. Today has brought me the knowledge
and proof positive that she is not, and today she has gone to
some wealthy relatives of her mother in San Francisco. She
expressed her contempt for what she was giving up by leaving
everything, including the exquisite little necklace of pearls
which has been a daily part of her since she owned them. I may
be mistaken, but intuition tells me that with the pearls and the
wardrobe she has also discarded John Gilman. I think your friend
will be suffering tonight quite as deeply as my friend suffered
when John abandoned her at a time when she had lost everything
else in life but her money. I feel very sure that we won't see
Eileen any more. I hope she will have every lovely thing in
life."
"Amen," said Peter Morrison earnestly.
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