Evan, fearful of overdoing it, let the matter drop. Everything depended on George now. The old man presently departed.
It may be mentioned here, out of its proper place chronologically, that later that night Evan got another note from George Deaves:
"I have had it out with Papa. It took me two hours. But I won. There will be no interference with the Deaves Trust. In the future I mean to be firmer with Papa. I have given in to him too much.
G. D."
At six o'clock Evan heard a quick light step on the stairs and the heart began to thump in his breast. He had been longing for this—and dreading it. Corinna presented herself at his open door. She had newspapers in her hand, and there was no doubt but that she had read them. But if Evan had expected her to be pleased, he was sadly disappointed. Her eyes were flashing.
"What does this mean?" she demanded, waving the papers.
"Dordess wrote the story," said Evan, sparring for time.
"I know he did. I have seen him. He referred me to you."
"Well, the story tells all," said Evan. "I didn't return the bonds, but created a philanthropist out of Simeon Deaves."
"And rehabilitated him in the eyes of the public!" she cried bitterly. "The unrepentant old scoundrel!"