“Look after the woman whose happiness you have helped to ruin?” she cried contemptuously, and before he could answer she had hurried away.
And during the whole of the interview he had been longing to tell her the truth, for he hated to see scorn in the eyes of the woman he loved. She believed him to be acting from unworthy motives, and he could not defend himself.
A broad-minded man, he had mapped out a course of action from which he would not deviate in the smallest degree. It was his conviction that the sufferings of the natives of the Congo could be made to cease by the efforts of Gaunt, and the misery of millions of human beings he placed far above every other consideration. What mattered his own happiness—what mattered the happiness of Gaunt and Lady Mildred, when such a stake was at issue?
Just before the dinner hour his brother came in, tired out with a long day’s work. He was succeeding beyond his most sanguine expectations and was rapidly getting together the body of men which Gaunt required. In fact many of them were to leave for Las Palmas by the next steamer, there to await instructions.
Lindsay Drake was thoroughly upset by the news of Gaunt’s arrest, but his brother endeavored to cheer him.
“I believe that God is with us, and that He will not allow anything to stop us from this good work,” he said solemnly.
They dined alone, and afterwards continued their discussion of the arrangements which were already far advanced, in spite of the very few days which had elapsed since work had been commenced. Edward Drake had approached the representatives of San Salvador and had ascertained that there had been great difficulty in finding the large sum of money which must be paid before possession of the cruiser would be granted. Like most South Americans, Señor Alvarez was quite open to a bribe and had entertained the proposal with great eagerness. Now there remained but the details to discuss and Gaunt’s presence was necessary before the matter could be finally settled.
It was Edward Drake’s intention to go to the police court at an early hour in the morning, but when he was about to start a message came from Lady Mildred that she wished to see him, and he hastened to her room.
Her face was pale and dark rims encircled her eyes, for she had passed a sleepless night, but when she had awakened a great deal of the bitter feeling against her husband had passed away.
“John loves me, and nothing else matters,” she told herself.