"I cannot help my looks to-night," he said, quietly, "for to-night you and I stand face to face, soul to soul. Violet, you had set your heart upon gaining Blair, and I have got him for you. You promised me at the time that you would give me whatsoever I should ask, and I told you that some day I should come to claim my reward at your hands. I have come. I will not tell you all I have done for you. You may have conjectured how dark and vile the work has been—no matter. I have succeeded; you have been Blair's wife through my agency. I come to claim my reward!"
She bit her lip and tried to smile.
"Well, well, what is it? It is awfully late, why not wait until to-morrow? Blair may come in at any moment, and though there is no impropriety in our chatting in my own room, still—what is it? Is it money? Are you in difficulties? How much is it?"
"It is not money," he said gravely.
"What, then?" she said, impatiently.
"It is yourself!" he said, his eyes flashing into hers, his pale cheeks suddenly glowing with fire.
[CHAPTER XXIX.]
"It is yourself I want," said Austin Ambrose.
Violet looked at him for a moment as if she had not understood the purport of his words, then she raised herself on her elbow, and laughed.