Indeed, I have already drawn up a letter of instruction
to my London agents directing them to take the preliminary steps," and
he pushed a third paper towards him.
Edward Cossey turned his back to his tormentor and resting his head
upon his hand tried to think.
"Mr. Quest," he said presently in a hoarse voice, "without admitting
anything, there are reasons which would make it ruinous to me if such
an action were commenced at present."
"Yes," he answered, "there are. In the first place there is no knowing
in what light your father would look on the matter and how his view of
it would affect your future interests. In the second your engagement
to Miss de la Molle, upon which you are strongly set, would certainly
be broken off."
"How do you know that I am engaged?" asked Edward in surprise.
"It does not matter how I know it," said the lawyer, "I do know it, so
it will be useless for you to deny it. As you remark, this suit will
probably be your ruin in every way, and therefore it is, as you will
easily understand, a good moment for a man who wants his revenge to
choose to bring it."
"Without admitting anything," answered Edward Cossey, "I wish to ask
you a question. Is there no way out of this? Supposing that I have
done you a wrong, wrong admits of compensation.
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