"
"Then why," said Benoni, "did I not know it also?"
"Because," answered the President quietly, "we did not think it fitting
to deliver a child that was committed to our charge, to the care of one
who had brought her father, and tried to bring her mother, his own seed,
to the most horrible of deaths."
As he spoke he fixed his eyes indignantly upon Benoni; as did every man
of all that great company, till even the bold-faced Jew dropped his head
abashed.
"I am not here," he said, recovering himself, "to make defence of what
I have done, or have not done in the past. I am here to demand that my
grandchild, now as I perceive a woman grown, may be handed over to me,
her natural guardian."
"Before this can be considered," answered the President, "we who have
been her guardians for so many years, should require guarantees and
sureties."
"What guarantees, and what sureties?" asked Benoni.
"These among others--That money sufficient for her support after your
death should be settled upon her. That she shall be left reasonable
liberty in the matter of her daily life and her marriage, if it should
please her to marry. Lastly, that as we have undertaken not to meddle
with her faith, or to oppress her into changing it, so must you
undertake also.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190