Thus it was that, when Paulina's letters suddenly ceased, Sir Reginald
was at once mortified and indignant. He had made up his mind to obey
Victor's suggestion, or rather, command, by abstaining from either
visiting or writing to Paulina; but he had not been prepared for a
similar line of proceeding on her part, and it hurt his vanity much.
She had ceased to write. Could she have ceased to care for him? Could
any one else, richer--more disinterested--have usurped his place in her
heart?
The baronet remembered what Victor Carrington had said about Douglas
Dale; but he could not for one moment believe that his cousin--a man
whom he considered infinitely beneath him--had the power to win Paulina
Durski's affection.
"She may perhaps encourage him," he said to himself, "especially now
that his income is doubled. She might even accept him as a husband--
women are so mercenary. But her heart will never cease to be mine."
Sir Reginald waited a week, a fortnight, but there came no letter from
Paulina. He called on Carrington, according to appointment, but his
friend had changed his mind, or his tactics, and gave him no
explanation.
Victor had been a daily visitor at Hilton House during the week which
had intervened since the day he had dined there and been introduced to
Douglas Dale. His observation had enabled him to decide upon
accelerating the progress of his designs.
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