‘I also have much confidence in him, and I sincerely love him,’ said Mr. Macrae, to the delight of Logan. He then paced silently up and down in deep thought. ‘You say that your scheme involves you in no personal danger?’ he asked.
‘In none, or only in such as men encounter daily in several professions. Merton and I like it.’
‘And you will not suffer in character if you fail?’
‘Certainly not in character; no gentleman of my coat ever entered on enterprise so free from moral blame,’ said Logan, ‘since my ancestor and namesake, Sir Robert, fell at the side of the good Lord James of Douglas, above the Heart of Bruce.’
He thrilled and changed colour as he spoke.
‘Yet it would not do for me to be known to be connected with the enterprise?’ asked Mr. Macrae.
‘Indeed it would not! Your notorious opulence would arouse ideas in the public mind, ideas false, indeed, but fatally compromising.’
‘I may not even subsidise the affair—put a million to Mr. Merton’s account?’
‘In no sort! Afterwards, after he succeeds, then I don’t say, if Merton will consent; but that is highly improbable. I know my friend.’
Mr. Macrae sighed deeply and remained pensive. ‘Well,’ he answered at last, ‘I accept your very gallant and generous proposal.’