"Your influence has been at work there," he exclaimed. "You have
brought about an alliance between this woman and Douglas Dale."
"I have," answered Victor, coolly. "Mr. Dale has offered her his hand
and fortune, as well as his heart, and has been accepted."
"You are going to play me false, Victor Carrington!"
"Indeed!"
"Yes, or else why take such pains to bring about this marriage?"
"You are a fool, Reginald Eversleigh, and an obstinate fool, or you
would not harp upon this subject after what I have said. I have told
you that the marriage which you fear will never take place."
"How will you prevent it?"
"As easily as I could bring it about, did I choose to do so. Pshaw! my
dear boy, the simple, honest people in this world are so many puppets,
and it needs but the master-mind to pull the strings."
"If this marriage is not intended to take place, why have you brought
about an engagement between Paulina and Douglas?" asked the baronet, in
nowise convinced by what his ally had said. "I have my reasons, and
good ones, though you are too dull of brain to perceive them," replied
Victor, impatiently. "You and your cousin, Douglas Dale, have been fast
friends, have you not?"
"We have."
"Listen to me, then. If he were to die without direct heirs you are the
only person who would profit by his death; and if he, a young; man,
powerful of frame, in robust health, no likely subject for disease,
were to die, leaving you owner of ten thousand a year, and were to die
while in the habit of holding daily intercourse with you, known to be
your friend and companion, is it not just possible that malevolent and
suspicious people might drop strange hints as to the cause of his
death? They might harp upon your motives for wishing him out of the
way.
Pages:
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580