Maidas was a straightforward nature. She never deceived herself. If she did anything against her better judgment, even against her conscience, it was with open eyes and understanding mind. She used no sophistry, no pretence, and if she acted mistakenly she was always satisfied to abide by the consequences.
And now, she set about her problem, systematically and methodically, determined to decide upon her course, and then strictly follow it.
She glanced at her father, absorbed in his book catalogues and indexes, and a great wave of love and devotion filled her heart. Surely no sacrifice was too great that would bring peace or pleasure to that martyred spirit.
That he was a martyr, Maida was as sure as she was that she was alive. She knew him too well to believe for an instant that he had committed a criminal act; it was an impossibility for one of his character. But that she could do nothing about. The question had been raised and settled when she was too young to know anything about it, and now, her simple duty was to do anything she might to ease his burden and to help him to forget.
And, she said to herself, first of all, he must stay in this home. He positively must and thats all there is about that. Now, if he knows if he has the least hint that there is another heir, hell get out at once or at least, hell move heaven and earth to find the heir, and then well have to move. And where to? Thats an unanswerable question. Anyway, Ive only one sure conviction. Ive got to keep from him all knowledge or suspicion of that other heir!
Maybe it isnt true maybe Mr. Appleby made it up but I dont think so. At any rate, I have to proceed as if it were true, and do my best. And, first of all, Ive got to hush up my own conscience. Ive too much of my fathers nature to want to live here if it rightfully belongs to somebody else. I feel like a thief already. But Im going to bear that Im going to live under that horrid conviction that Im living a lie for fathers sake.