As Blake strolled homeward he began to reflect that this charming intimacy with Myra Nell Warren could not go much farther without doing her an injustice. The time was rapidly nearing when he would have to make up his mind either to have very much more or very much less of her society. He was undeniably fond of her, for she not only interested him, but, what is far rarer and quite as important, she amused him. Moreover, she was of his own people; the very music of her Southern speech soothed his ear in contrast with the harsh accents of his Northern acquaintances. The thought came to him with a profound appeal that she might grow to love him with that unswerving faithfulness which distinguishes the Southern woman. And yet, strangely enough, when he retired that night it was not with her picture in his mind, but that of a splendid, tawny Sicilian girl with lips as fresh as a half-opened flower and eyes as deep as the sea.
XI
THE KIDNAPPING
Bernie Dreux appeared at Blake's office on the following afternoon with a sour look upon his face. Norvin had known he would come, but hardly expected Myra Nell to win her victory so easily. Without waiting for the little man to speak, he began:
"I know what you're here for and I know just what you're going to tell me, so proceed; run me through with your reproaches; I offer no resistance."
"Do you think you acted very decently?" Dreux inquired.
"My dear Bernie, a crown was at stake."
"A crown of thorns for me. It means bankruptcy."
"Then you have consented? Good! I knew you would."
"Of course you knew I would; that's what makes your trick so abominable. I didn't think it of you."