"Sir Reginald Eversleigh is my friend," replied Victor; "but do not
think me treacherous, Madame Durski, when I tell you he is not worthy
of your regard. Were he here at this moment, I would say the same. He
is utterly selfish--it is of his own interest alone that he thinks; and
were the chance of a wealthy marriage to offer itself, I firmly believe
that he would seize it--ay! even if by doing so he knew that he was to
break your heart. I think you know that I am speaking the truth, Madame
Durski?"
"I do," answered Paulina, in a dull, half despairing tone. "Heaven help
me! I know that it is the truth. I have long known as much. We women
are capable of supreme folly. My folly is my regard for your friend
Reginald Eversleigh."
"Let your pride work the cure of that wasted devotion, madame," said
Victor, earnestly. "Do not submit any longer to be the dupe, the tool,
of this man. Do you know how dearly your self-sacrifice has cost you? I
am sure you do not. You do not know that this house is beginning to be
talked about as a place to be shunned. You have observed, perhaps, that
you have had few visitors of late. Day by day your visitors will grow
fewer. This house is marked. It is talked of at the clubs; and Reginald
Eversleigh will no longer be able to live upon the spoils won from his
dupes and victims. The game is up, Madame Durski; and now that you can
no longer be useful to Reginald Eversleigh, you will see how much his
love is worth.
Pages:
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525