"I have come here this afternoon," the doctor went on, "as a friend of both mothers. On the part of Lady Woodroffe, I have absolutely nothing to propose. She puts the case unreservedly in your hands. Whatever steps you take, she will accept. It remains, therefore, for you, madam, to do what you think best."
"I want my boy," she repeated doggedly. "So long as I get him, I don't care what happens."
"That is, of course, the one feeling which underlies everything. I will, if you like, see him in your name."
"Dick was going to write to him as the son of Anthony Woodroffe," said Molly.
"I know his proposals. We have to consider, however, the possible effect which the discovery of the truth will produce upon this unfortunate--most unfortunate--young man."
"Why is he unfortunate?" asked his mother jealously. "He will be restored to his own mother."
"I am going to tell you why. Meantime, you will agree with me that it is most important that the communication of the truth must not embitter this young man, at the outset, against his mother."
"Quite so. Dick proposes, I understand, to address a letter to him as the son of the late Mr. Anthony Woodroffe--better known as John Anthony--and inviting him to pay certain liabilities. As to the wisdom of that step, I have no doubt. It can produce no other effect than to fill him with rage and bitterness against all concerned, all--every one--without exception."
He shook a warning finger at one after the other.
"Perhaps. In that case the subject must be approached with the greatest delicacy. Dick's method is to begin with a bludgeon."
"We must think of his mother first," said Molly. "We have been working all along for his mother."
"My dear young lady, you do not understand the situation. Because we must think first of his mother, and for no other reason, we must advance with caution. Had we not to consider the mother, there would be no reason for delicacy at all. And now, if you will not interrupt, I will go on."
The warning was now necessary, because the time had arrived for the final appeal. If that failed, anything might happen.
"We must consider, dear madam, the character, in the first place, of your son, and in the next place, the conditions of his education and position. As regards his character, he has inherited the artistic nature of his father, to begin with. That is shown in everything he does in his music and musical composition."