“Did he know, when we were in Annapolis?” she asked.
“On the contrary, he was very sanguine—it looked most promising then.”
Her eyes went back to the flames. He blew ring after ring of smoke, and waited, patiently. He was the friend, he saw, now. He could never hope to be more. Croyden was the lucky fellow—and would not! Well, he had his warning and it was in time. Since she was baring her soul to him, as friend to friend, it was his duty to help her to the utmost of his power.
Suddenly, she uncrossed her knees and sat up.
“I have bought all the stock, and the remaining bonds of the Virginia Development Company, from the bank that held them as collateral for Royster & Axtell’s loan,” she said. “Oh, don’t be alarmed! I didn’t appear in the matter—my broker bought them in your name, and paid for them in actual money.” 178
“I am your friend—use me!” he said, simply.
She arose, and bending swiftly over, kissed him on the cheek.
“Don’t, Elaine,” he said. “I am, also, Geoffrey Croyden’s friend, but there are temptations which mortal man cannot resist.”
“You think so?” she smiled, leaning over the back of his chair, and putting her head perilously close to his—“but I trust you—though I shan’t kiss you again—at least, for the present. Now, you have been so very good about the bonds, I want you to be good some more. Will you, Colin?”
He held his hands before him, to put them out of temptation.