“You have come from my wife, that’s evident. It must be some dirty work or she would not have sent you. What is it?”
Drinkwater, as though fairly in, took this remark without offense and said, in a businesslike voice quite different from the affectation of his former manner.
“Your wife does not desire this marriage. That is not news to you; but if you will relinquish your purpose, she agrees to forego all the settlements you have made on her and in addition——”
“What! She sent you here to bribe me!” exclaimed Dangerfield, in such a voice that the other drew back instinctively.
“Mr. Garford, I haven’t told you the truth,” he said hastily. “I represent Mr. David Macklin.”
“Who?” said Dangerfield, drawing back in turn.
“Mr. David Macklin!”
“Not a word—not a word!” said Dangerfield, in whom the name roused a sudden fury. “Don’t you dare——”
“My client offers you one hundred thousand dollars if you will not insist on this marriage to Mr. Bowden.”