‘You gave it him?’
‘Dropt it in his room, where he’s certain to find it.’
‘Why did you do that?’ demanded the girl almost sharply.
‘Why? Because, as I told you, I want to win him over. Such a man as he is will be invaluable to us, here in England. He has the gift of tongues, to begin with; and then he knows any number of influential and wealthy people. What we want now, Eustasia, is money.’
‘We always have wanted it, as long as I can remember.’
‘I don’t mean what you mean,’ cried the Professor indignantly. ‘I mean money to push the great cause, to propagate the new religion, to open up more and more the arcanum of mystic biology. We want money, and we want converts. If we can win Bradley over to our side, it won’t be a bad beginning.’
‘Who is to win him over? I?’
‘Why, of course. You must see him, and when you do, I think it is as good as done. Only mind this, Eustasia! Keep your head cool, and don’t go spooning. You’re too susceptible, you are! If I hadn’t been by to look after you, you’d have thrown yourself away a dozen times.’
Eustasia smiled and shook her head. Then, with a weary sigh, she arose.
‘I’ll go to bed now, Salem.’