There's a
good deal of her father in Advena. He would be the last
man to say a word for himself. You told her this tale
you have told me, and she told you to get Miss Christie
out and marry her without delay, eh? And what would you
expect her to tell you--a girl of that spirit?"
"I cannot see why pride should influence her."
"Then you know little about women. It was pride, pure
and simple, Finlay, that made her tell you that--and
she'll be a sorry woman if you act on it."
"No," said Finlay, suddenly looking up, "I may know little
about women, but I know more about Advena Murchison than
that. She advised me in the sense she thought right and
honourable, and her advice was sincere. And, Dr Drummond,
deeply as I feel the bearing of Miss Murchison's view of
the matter, I could not, in any case, allow my decision
to rest upon it. It must stand by itself."
"You mean that your decision to marry to oblige your aunt
should not be influenced by the fact that it means the
wrecking of your own happiness and that of another person.
I can't agree, Finlay. I spoke first of Advena Murchison
because her part and lot in it are most upon my heart.
I feel, too, that someone should put her case. Her own
father would never open his lips. If you're to be hauled
over the coals about this I'm the only man to do it.
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