“Why, your marriage, my dear fellow,” he returned; “yours and Miss Doris’. I don’t know whether you agree with me, but I am, on principle, strongly opposed to long engagements. When two young hearts are yearning for each other——Percy, this marriage must take place at once,” he broke off with a sharp and sudden change of voice.
Percy Levant watched him closely and in silence for a moment.
“Why?” he asked.
Spenser Churchill smiled blandly.
“For several reasons; one, and not the least, being my anxiety to see two young people in whom I am deeply interested, made happy; another, if I may be candid, is because I am anxious to complete our contract and destroy the bond,” and he touched his breast-pocket.
A strange expression came into Percy Levant’s face, came and passed like a flash.
“You want your money?” he said.
“Naturally, and you want your bride! So that we are of one mind, my dear Percy.”
“And what if I say I will go no further in this vile business; if I say that I will no longer be a party in this conspiracy against a helpless girl!” said Percy Levant in a low voice, and with a sudden crimson rising to his face.
Spenser Churchill smiled blandly.