“You mean as I have compromised the lady, I should now desert her—of course, with an allowance,” he added bitingly.
Curtis was uneasy, for he knew the Reckaviles; but the marriage must be stopped. He tried once more.
“It would never do. You know that the estate is heavily mortgaged, and you are well—rather careless in money matters. I had hoped that you would marry some desirable lady of your class, with sufficient funds to put the family in a satisfactory position. I think that is very necessary.”
He paused at the look on Reckavile’s face. His eyes were dull black, like a snake’s, and his mouth was twisted in a fiendish smile.
Curtis knew that look only too well.
“Thank you, Curtis,” he said “I was undecided, and thought of tossing for it, but you have made up my mind for me. I shall certainly marry the woman—or at least give her my name for what it is worth, and that should be sufficient punishment for anyone.”
“But, my Lord …”
Reckavile held up his hand. “There is no need for further discussion.”
A knock sounded at the door, and the clerk came in.
“A lady wishes to see Lord Reckavile,” he said to Curtis “she would not wait, sir, and seemed very impatient.”