When Rudolph left Tony imprisoned, he began to think over the situation with regard to his own interest.
He was already dissatisfied with the income he received from Mrs. Middleton; though at the time it seemed to him large, he found that he could easily spend more. He did not have expensive lodgings—in fact, they were plain, and quite within his means, but he drank and gambled, and both these amusements were expensive. He had already made up his mind to ask for a larger income, and Tony's offer stimulated him to ask at once.
"If Mrs. Middleton won't, the boy will," he said to himself.
Mrs. Middleton was in London. In fact, at that moment she was conversing with Captain Lovell, to whom she had been formally betrothed. He had satisfied himself that the prospects were all right, and then had renewed his offer. The marriage was to take place in a month, and Mrs. Middleton was in town to make suitable preparations for it. She was perfectly happy, for she was about to marry a man she loved.
As for Captain Lovell, he was well enough contented. He did not care much for the lady as regards love, but he was decidedly in love with her property.
"It will make me comfortable for life," he said, with a shrug of the shoulders, "and after marriage I can pay as little attention to Mrs. Lovell as I choose. She must be content with marrying my name."
The widow had taken handsome apartments at a West End boarding house. There she received callers.
Captain Lovell was lounging in an easy chair, looking rather bored. His fiancee was inspecting an array of dry goods which had been sent in from a fancy London shop.
"Don't you think this silk elegant, Gregory!" she asked, displaying a pattern.
"Oh, ah, yes, I suppose so," he answered with a yawn.