“I have brought you all the money I could obtain, and now I demand that you release the child,” Virginia said, firmly.
“Eesa be damn! Yous a fetch a me a da mon, a da rest, ten a thous, an an—a Daise beez a da liber. Eesa da late a now, Signora. Much a bet for a youse a da go home, hic.”
Virginia’s blanched but resolute face indicated that the critical moment had arrived. Then her voice quivered slightly, as with suppressed, quiet dignity, she said: “I shall give you no more.”
The declaration aroused Constance. She looked up. “Yes, oh, yes; give him more!” she exclaimed, in plaintive alarm. “He shall have a million, two million; I will get it for him.”
The extravagant offer, the soft, troubled, pensive stare, caused Jack to straighten up and gaze directly at her.
Virginia’s alert eyes at once caught the superstitious fear that had suddenly betrayed itself in his face.
“Don’t you see her mind is giving way!” she exclaimed, and while he stood staring at Constance, she seized the occasion as one favorable for escape.
“Come dear,” she urged, “he will not stop us now.”
“It is dangerous,” was the soft, helpless reply. “The clouds are thickening, and the storm will soon burst.”
“Courage, dear, the clouds will soon roll by. Come,” Virginia urged, half lifting her to her feet.