Sowing the Wind Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ...Isola changed colour, and the tears that had gathered beneath her lashes for love and yearning were scorched and dried away. Mr. Norton turned a step or two aside, humming a few uncertain bars of ' Figaro' between his closed lips, and then St. John in a harsh and hollow voice said slowly, " I yield to the necessities of my position, Mr. Norton. If the boy is my sister's and, as you say, legitimate, I keep it. I will not have it said that an Aylott, however unworthy, left a child to charity." Richard Norton made a cold inclination of his head. " You have decided wisely," he said; and St. John, who had expected an enthusiastic recognition of his magnanimity, felt disappointed and aggrieved. " Now I want something more," said Richard Norton, clearing his throat and crossing his legs, still keeping his finger tips pressed close together, as he rested his elbows on the arms of his chair. " I want you to give me an undertaking to leave a certain sum of money to this boy--in fact to make him your heir, failing children of your own, and to leave him a share if you have children of your own--to make him then equal with the rest." " Anything more?" said St. John Aylott calmly as to manner, whatever the hidden fire. Vol. n. L " No, nothing," replied Richard Norton. " I refuse your request," said the young man in the same unnaturally calm voice. " You are travelling beyond your last, Mr. Norton. The disposition of my property may at least be left to myself " smiling ironically. " I think not," said Richard Norton. " Under the peculiar circumstances of the case, I think I must somewhat insist on the adoption of my views. By strict legal right, this boy should now be in possession of your father's property; for by strict legal right that property...