"Carlo, the door," she said, quietly.
The baronet gave her one look—a dark and threatening glance—and then left the room, followed by the Spaniard, who conducted him to his cab with every token of grave respect.
"Curse her!" muttered Sir Reginald, between his set teeth, as he drove away from Hilton House. "It must be Douglas Dale who has given her the power to insult me thus, and he shall pay for her insolence. But why did Victor bring those two together? An alliance between them can only result in mischief to me. I must and will fathom his motive for conduct that seems so incomprehensible."
* * * * *
Sir Reginald and his fatal ally, Carrington, met on the following day, and the former angrily related the scene which had been enacted at Hilton House.
"Your influence has been at work there," he exclaimed. "You have brought about an alliance between this woman and Douglas Dale."
"I have," answered Victor, coolly. "Mr. Dale has offered her his hand and fortune, as well as his heart, and has been accepted."
"You are going to play me false, Victor Carrington!"
"Indeed!"
"Yes, or else why take such pains to bring about this marriage?"