"Herbert, I hope it's nothing risky."
She had run such a risk herself she wanted him to run none; she had had enough of risks, for ever.
"That depends again on what you mean by risky. I'm not sure that I shall go in for it; I haven't quite finished turning it over in my mind; I don't altogether see my way; but if, by the time I have finished turning it over in my mind, I do see my way, why, there you are; I'm a starter. Of course there's always the risk of my not bringing it off, though you may bet I'll do my best"--he said this with a very curious smile; a smile which, for some reason, seemed to bring a sense of chill to her heart. "But I shall be no worse off if I don't--there's no risk in that sense. Then will be the time to join myself in partnership with dear old Dawson."
She drew a long breath. The position was becoming complicated. She had not dreamed that he would have formed a scheme of his own, which she was to be kept out of, or she would not have gone, the second time, through the study window.
"Will--will any money be wanted for what you're thinking of?"
"No; not, at least, from you; of course, money will be wanted, but--it will come from some one else, if it comes at all; that's the idea; plenty of it too."
Again that curious smile came on his face; that, this time, it positively frightened her, showed what a state her nerves were in.
"Herbert, of what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking--of a real big thing."
As she watched him some instinct warned her not to push her curiosity too far; yet there were certain things she must know.