"Of course, she has thrown herself away--I know that."
There was a gleam in the heavy-lidded eyes.
"It could all be rectified," said Mr. Campbell soothingly. "Very easily, and very quickly rectified. It is just a question, it seems to me, of our getting together, and talking it over reasonably. In fact, some of the details might be omitted entirely. Mr. Ladd is a man of very large means, and is the soul of honor. He would see to it that your future was made easy."
"How easy?" asked Adair.
"I mean," returned Mr. Campbell, "that he would substantially recognize your honest desire to be guided by his wishes--wishes that you admit are just, and so much to the young lady's advantage that you are willing to withdraw entirely."
"Those are all words," exclaimed Adair; "let's get to figures."
Mr. Campbell looked pained. After having confined the interview so skilfully within the limits of irreproachable good taste, this brutality outraged his ear. He had not been unprepossessed by Adair, and felt sorry for him.--But here was the cloven hoof.--The fellow was just a low, mercenary adventurer after all.
"The figures are ten thousand dollars," he answered coldly.
"Why, I don't call that anything!"
"Cash," added Campbell, with a pursing of his lips.