I am at the other pole.
If I could collect humanity into one sentient force, I would set my
heel upon it without hesitation. I try to do what I can with the
atoms, but I have not the best of fortune. There was Mrs. Travers,
now! There I should have been successful beyond a doubt if some
busybody hadn't sent that cable to her husband. I wonder if you were
idiot enough to do that, Aynesworth?"
"If I had thought of the Marconigram," Aynesworth said, "I am sure I
should have done it. But as a matter of fact, I did not."
"Just as well, so far as our relations are concerned," Wingrave said
coldly. "I did manage to make poor men of a few brokers in New York,
but my best coup went wrong. That boy would have blown his brains out,
I believe, if some meddling idiot hadn't found him all that money at
the last moment. I have had a few smaller successes, of course, and
there is this affair of Lady Ruth and her estimable husband. You know
that he came to borrow money of me, I suppose?"
"I guessed it," Aynesworth answered. "You should be modern in your
revenge and lend it to him."
Wingrave smiled coldly.
"I fancy," he said, "that Lumley Barrington will find my revenge
modern enough. I may lend the money they need--but it will be to Lady
Ruth! I told her husband so a few minutes ago. I told him to send his
wife to me. He has gone to tell her now!"
"I wonder," Aynesworth remarked, "that he did not thrash you--or try
to.
Pages:
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200