The world will forsake them fast enough, and that is
sufficient punishment--if they deserve punishment. Of course, Ideala
could never have come back to us as an honoured guest again, after
taking such a step, but she would have continued to fill the same place
in our affections, if not in our esteem.
"And you will drive everybody else away, and keep the house empty all
the year round, in order to be able to receive her--_and_ Mr. Lorrimer--
whenever they choose to visit us," Claudia had declared when we
discussed the subject.
That was not quite what I intended; but I had made Ideala understand
that nothing she could do would affect her intercourse with us. I told
her so at once, because I would not have her alter her determination
for any consideration but the highest. She might at the last have
hesitated to separate herself from us for ever; but I felt sure if that
were the case, and it was not a better motive entirely which deterred
her, she would not be satisfied eventually; and I know now that I was
right.
Ideala wrote to Lorrimer, and when she had finished her letter I found
that she intended to impose a terrible task upon me.
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