"
"Suppose a moth flies away from a candle, Miss Brewer," returned
Carrington, "and makes a refreshing excursion out of window into the
cool evening air! May we not calculate with tolerable certainty on his
return, and his incremation? The last thing in all this matter I should
think of doubting would be the readiness of Douglas Dale to tumble
head-foremost into any net we please to spread for him."
A short pause ensued--interrupted by Miss Brewer, who said, "I suppose
this must all be done quickly--on account of that wealthy Philistine,
the ironmonger?"
"On account of my happening to want money very badly, Miss Brewer, and
Madame Durski finding herself in the same position. The more quickly
the better for all parties. And now, I have spoken very plainly to you
so far, let me speak still more plainly. It is manifestly for your
advantage that Madame Durski should be rich and respectable, rather
than that she should be poor and--under a cloud. It is no less
manifestly, though not so largely, for your advantage, that I should
get my money from Reginald Eversleigh, because, when I do, get it, I
will hand you five hundred pounds by way of bonus."
"If there were any means by which you could be legally bound to the
fulfilment of that promise, Mr. Carrington," said Miss Brewer, "I
should request you to put it in writing. But I am quite aware that no
such means exist.
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