“Evidently there is nothing further for me to do but apologise, and get out. Your highly interesting conversation with Montague has made that clear, at least.”
“Do you mean to be insolent?” she asked slowly.
“I hope not,” he said with steady scorn; “only to reassure myself that your arrangements and speculations never have been and never can be any concern of mine.”
“That is not quite correct. The speculation referred to had to do directly with you. The money I borrowed was to buy your farm.”
“Indeed! Well, in that matter at least I have reason to congratulate you. It is going to turn out a good spec.”
“Ah! and how is that?” she peered at him curiously.
“The land has a rich gold reef running through it. You will in all probability be able to re-sell for several hundred thousand pounds.”
“And when did you know this wonderful thing?” she asked in a strange voice.
“After I’d sent word to you by Cornwall that I’d sell. Brain, the first bidder, came and confessed that he and his partner knew about the gold and had meant to ‘do’ me. His idea, of course, was that I should pay him for the information by going shares and not letting you have the land.”
Vivienne’s heart stood very still.