"Is there any chance of success?"
"None! none!"
"Then I shall not marry the----"
"You may marry, for the line of Venus is strongly marked," interrupted Diabella sharply. "The girl loves you, and may defy the person with whom she is so closely connected."
"And my rival also?"
Diabella shook her head. "He is too strong for her. He can force her to marry him when he chooses."
"Perhaps he may be forced to defend himself," said Vernon incautiously.
Diabella looked up quickly. "What's that?"
"Never mind. If you can read events you must guess what I mean."
"I can only read what is in your hand, and all that a man plans and thinks may not be written there. Still, you will be wise to leave your rival alone, for he is too strong for you."