Croyden nodded. Then, after a pause:
“Any one inclined to play the devoted, there?” he asked.
“Plenty inclined—plenty anxious,” replied Macloud. “I’m looking a bit that way myself—I may get into the running, since you are out of it,” he added.
Croyden made as though to speak, then bit off the words.
“Yes, I’m out of it,” he said shortly.
“But you’re not out of it—if you find the pirate’s treasure.”
“Wait until I find it—at present, I’m only an ‘also ran.’”
“Who had the field, however, until withdrawn,” said Macloud.
“Maybe!” Croyden laughed. “But things have changed with me, Macloud; I’ve had time for thought and meditation. I’m not sure I should go back to Northumberland, even if the Parmenter jewels are real. Had I stayed there I suppose I should have taken my chance with the rest, but I’m becoming doubtful, recently, of giving such hostages to fortune. It’s all right for a woman to marry a rich man, but it is a totally different proposition for a poor man to marry a rich woman. 103 Even with the Parmenter treasure, I’d be poor in comparison with Elaine Cavendish and her millions—and I’m afraid the sweet bells would soon be jangling out of tune.”
“Would you condemn the girl to spinsterhood, because there are few men in Northumberland, or elsewhere, who can match her in wealth?”