"Do I think what course wise?" demanded his friend.
"The line of conduct you propose. You say Douglas is in love with
Paulina, and I myself have seen enough to convince me that you are
right. If he is in love with her, he is just the man to sacrifice every
other consideration for her sake. What if he should marry her? Would
not that be a bad look-out for us?"
"You are a fool, Reginald Eversleigh," cried Victor contemptuously;
"you ought to know me better than to fear my discretion. Douglas Dale
loves Paulina Durski, and is the very man to sacrifice all worldly
interests for her sake; the man to marry her, even were she more
unworthy of his love than she is. But he never will marry her,
notwithstanding."
"How will you prevent such a marriage?"
"That is my secret. Depend upon it I will prevent it. You remember our
compact the night we met at Frimley."
"I do," answered Reginald, in a voice that was scarcely above a
whisper.
"Very well; I will be true to my part of that compact, depend upon it.
Before this new-born year is out you shall be a rich man."
"I have need of wealth, Victor," replied the baronet, eagerly; "I have
bitter need of it. There are men who can endure poverty; but I am not
one of them. If my position does not change speedily I may find myself
branded with the stigma of dishonour--an outlaw from society. I must be
rich at any cost--at any cost, Victor.
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