Volume Three—Chapter Seventeen.
Pradelle is Pricked.
Seeing more and more that if an alteration was to be made in their present position, the change must come from her urging, Louise attacked her brother soon after breakfast the next morning. She was fully convinced that Pradelle was determined to keep them in London for reasons of his own—reasons the bare thought of which brought an indignant flush into her cheek; and it was evident that he was gaining greater influence over his old companion, who was just now in the stage when it would be easy for one of strong mind to gain the mastery. This being so, Louise determined that hers should be the strong will, not Pradelle’s. To this end she took three or four of the most likely of her jewels, making a point of carefully wrapping them up and dwelling upon the task till she caught her brother’s attention.
“What are you doing there?” he said.
“Getting ready some things upon which to raise money.”
He uttered an impatient ejaculation.
“Leave them till Pradelle comes.”
“No, Harry; either you or I must part with these. Who is it to be?”