If all went well! What kind of sophistry must that man use who, to compass his ends, deems all means justifiable, without considering the misery he is ready to inflict upon others in the pursuit upon which he is engaged? There lies upon some men's natures a crust of selfishness so cruel that it becomes in their eyes a light matter to transgress all laws human and divine. They are blinded by a moral obliquity, and think not of the hour when the veil shall be torn from their eyes, and when the punishment which surely waits upon crime is meted out to them.
Annette's first letter to Basil is a fair example of those which followed, except that the progress of time seemed to deepen the attachment she bore for him. In one letter she sent a photograph of herself, and Newman Chaytor's heart beat high as he gazed upon it. Annette was growing into a very lovely womanhood; beautiful, sweet, and gracious was her face; an angelic tenderness dwelt in her eyes.
"And this is meant for Basil," said Chaytor, in his solitude: and then exclaimed, as he contemplated the enchanting picture, "No! For me--for me!"
[CHAPTER XX.]
The claim they were working proved very little richer than others they had taken up. They made certainly a few shillings a week more than was absolutely necessary to keep them in food and tobacco, and these few shillings were carefully husbanded by Chaytor, who was treasurer of the partnership. Their departure was hastened by a meeting which did not afford Chaytor unalloyed pleasure. As he and Basil sat at the door of their canvas tent one summer night, who should stroll up to them but old Corrie.
"Here you are, then," cried the honest fellow.
"Why, Corrie!" exclaimed Basil, jumping to his feet, and holding out his hands.
"Master Basil," said Old Corrie, grasping them cordially, "I am more than glad to see you. I was passing through, and hearing your tent was somewhere in this direction, I made up my mind to hunt you up. Well, well, well!"
"Here's my mate," said Basil, motioning to Chaytor, "you remember him."
"Oh yes," said Old Corrie, nodding at Chaytor. "So you've been together all this time. What luck have you had?"