Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/232

 *cious to her. There is no reason why she should not pay for it."

"You mean," she said, and her eyes snapped, "blackmail!"

She had not been the active partner for thirty-five years of a politician who had climbed from obscurity to the control of the State, without knowing what this word meant, nor without knowing the infinite deeps that yawn for the man or woman who shows the first sign of weakness to the blackmailer.

"You are mistaken," he said. He was on ground now that he had gone over in his mind again and again, in his preparation for this interview. "The essence of blackmail is threat. I make no threat. I have not said that I will expose you, if you do not pay me. I expressly disclaim any such intention. But safety is worth something to you; you are rich and have high social position. I offer you protection in your riches and position, and, for giving it, I ought to have recompense—simply a fair equivalent for what I do. Nothing more; but that much is fair; I think you cannot deny its fairness."

He knew he was sliding off into inanity; that all