“His pride never got over her ruin of his firm’s reputation by drawing all her business out.
“Of course, the society snakes who poisoned the young wife’s mind brought on the social catastrophe. I would like to feel that Elaine Willoughby did not betray that poor young woman. But I’ll square it all by and by.”
“How?” eagerly demanded Vreeland. Potter was brave in a mad resolve.
The young millionaire paused, hat and umbrella in hand. “I have found a business in life at last. One that suits me.
“If Alida Hathorn has not money enough to square all the honest claims, I have. For a year and a day from Hathorn’s death, I shall marry her, and then give her a woman’s decent happiness.
“It was a false ambition that pushed Hathorn into her circle. He was only a good-looking upstart, and never worthy of her.
“So, you can see all comes around to the man who waits.
“Now, I count on your sense of manliness to protect the name of Fred Hathorn’s widow, the woman who will be my wife, for, with all your money, you would not be in New York to-day, as you are, at the top of the ladder but for Hathorn.
“You stand in his shoes up at Lakemere, here in the Circassia, and you of all men, should be considerate to his memory.” The scheming liar bowed his head in a speechless agitation.
Vreeland escorted his visitor to the stair. “If I need any private tip, I may use you,” said Potter. “I’ll be at Hotel Vendôme, Paris, till I have made her Mrs. Jimmy Potter, if we live.”