"
Francis nodded.
"She has asked me to call upon her to-morrow."
"Exactly. Now, forgive my troubling you with personal details, but
you've got to understand. I mean Miss Wendermott to be my wife."
Francis sat up in his chair genuinely surprised. Something like a
scowl was on his dark, sallow face.
"Your wife !' he exclaimed, "aren't you joking, Trent?"
"I am not," Trent answered sharply. "From the moment I saw her that
has been my fixed intention. Every one thinks of me as simply a
speculator with the money fever in my veins. Perhaps that was true
once. It isn't now! I must be rich to give her the position she
deserves. That's all I care for money."'
"I am very much interested," Francis said slowly, "to hear of your
intentions. Hasn't it occurred to you, however, that your
behaviour toward Miss Wendermott's father will take a great deal of
explanation?"
"If there is no interference," Trent said, "I can do it. There is
mystery on her part too, for I offered a large reward and news of
him through my solicitor, and she actually refused to reply. She
has refused any money accruing to her through her father, or to be
brought into contact with any one who could tell her about him."
"The fact," Francis remarked drily, "is scarcely to her credit.
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