"Yes," she answered hoarsely; "but before I give it to you, I shall exact a solemn promise that you will never come near me again!"
"Certainly you shall have the promise—a dozen of them if you like," he cried, forcing back an insolent laugh.
"You must solemnly promise that you will never come near me again if I give this money to you," she said.
"No," he answered; "I will never come near you. I will go abroad. Does that satisfy you?"
"Yes," she answered. "Only go so far away that I shall never see your face again."
He closed his hand eagerly over the money, saying to himself that it was a veritable gold mine that he had found.
"Let me go!" she panted, as he put out his hand to touch her.
With the swiftness of a startled deer, she fled past him into the darkness of the grounds.
Royal Ainsley laughed harshly.
"This money will last me for a few weeks, my lady," he muttered, "and then—Ah! we shall see!"