My own debts are too pressing to permit of
my helping her; and such being the case, the best thing she can do will
be to get back to the Continent as soon as she can."
"On no account, my dear Reginald!" exclaimed Carrington. "Madame Durski
must not leave Hilton House."
"Why not?"
"Never mind the why. I tell you, Reginald, she must stay. You and I
must find enough money to stave off the demands of her sharpest
creditors."
"I have not a sixpence to give her," answered the baronet; "I can
scarcely afford to pay for the lodging that shelters me, and can still
less afford to lend money to other people."
"Not even to the woman who loves you, and whom you profess to love?"
said Victor, with a sneer. "What a noble-minded creature you are, Sir
Reginald Eversleigh--a pattern of chivalry and devotion! However,
Madame Durski must remain; that is essential to the carrying out of my
plans. If you will not find the money, I know who will."
"And pray who is this generous knight-errant so ready to rush to the
rescue of beauty in distress?"
"Douglas Dale. He is over head and ears in love with the Austrian
widow, and will lend her the money she wants. I shall go at once to
Madame Durski and give her a few hints as to her line of conduct."
There was a pause, during which the baronet seemed to be thinking
deeply.
"Do you think that a wise course?" he asked, at last.
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