However the tale of Madelon's and Lot's engagement had found mouth--whether Margaret Bean had vented her knowledge when it grew too big for her or not--it was scarce one day before the whole village was agape with it.

With that tendency of the human mind born of involuntary self-knowledge which leads it to suspect a selfish motive in all untoward actions, many gave unhesitatingly a reason for Madelon's choice.
The women nodded astutely at each other, and the men exchanged shrewd affirmative grunts.

"She's goin' to marry Lot to pay off Burr," they all agreed.

"She'll get all the money." Madelon herself had never thought of that.

She had never considered the fact that her marriage with Lot would rob Burr of his prospective wealth; and, if she had, she would have dismissed the thought as of no moment.