Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/43

Rh way to a man's heart is 'Feed the brute'? This was the beginning of the intrigue, as you call it. To-day, for the first time since her marriage, I happened to meet Mrs. Bendale. She is not yet forty, but she looks like a woman of seventy. She was daughter to a gamekeeper in one of my father's lodges, and married poor Bendale when he was a clerk of twenty-three. You see, Mr. Brassard, you are making a farce of what is already a tragedy."

"Oh, that's all very well, my lord; that's second thoughts, but you can't hoodwink me. I give you three days to accept or reject my offer."

"I do not need your three days; I reject it now."

"Then we shall see what will happen."

"That is very true, Mr. Brassard. I bid you good-evening."

Lord Stranleigh was of a cheerful disposition, but he left the emporium of Richard Brassard feeling somewhat depressed. His mission had not only been a failure, but he had probably accelerated the catastrophe which was threatening the man he desired to help. If that man refused to accept compensation from him, then all Stranleigh's wealth would be of small assistance in the crisis. He accused himself of lacking both tact and ingenuity. The stout man had out-manœuvred him at every point. Still, he reflected, three days' grace had been allowed him, and much may be accomplished in three days. If the worst came to the worst, he could surrender to Brassard and pay the twenty