Miss Wilberforce must be protected against herself. They came to him
for a contribution, however small, which would enable Mr. van Koppen to
fulfil his promise. It was not a question of meddlesomeness. It was a
question of putting an end to a crying public scandal. Miss Wilberforce
spent her days in sleeping, and her nights in shocking the population
of Nepenthe. The lady should be temporarily secluded in her own
interests; she was not fit to be left alone; it was an act of charity
to do what one could towards improving her health and prolonging her
life. They were out for a philanthropic object--to assist in helping a
fellow creature. Miss Wilberforce must be protected against herself.
Mr. van Koppen's half-million would enable them to compass this end.
His own contribution, however small, would enable Mr. van Koppen to
fulfil his promise. Miss Wilberforce must be protected--
He quite understood. Miss Wilberforce must be protected against
herself. And he disagreed heartily. Nobody must be protected against
himself.
Pages:
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509