"
"My promise? What do you mean?"
"You told me if I'd marry you'd continue my allowance after
marriage. You even hinted you'd increase it."
"But this is no marriage. I should consider a connection between
such a man and a Severence as a mere vulgar intrigue. You might as
well run away with a coachman. I have known few coachmen so ill-
bred--so repellent--as this Craig."
Margaret laughed cheerfully. "He isn't what you'd call polished,
is he?"
Her grandmother studied her keenly. "Margaret," she finally said,
"this is some scheme of yours. You are using this engagement to
help you to something else."
"I refused Grant Arkwright just before you came."
"You--refused--Arkwright?"
"My original plan was to trap Grant by making him jealous of
Craig. But I abandoned it."
"And why?"
"A remnant of decency."
"I doubt it," said the old lady.
"So should I in the circumstances. We're a pretty queer lot,
aren't we? You, for instance--on the verge of the grave, and
breaking your promise to me as if a promise were nothing."
Mrs. Bowker's ebon staff twitched convulsively and her terrible
eyes were like the vent-holes of internal fires; but she managed
her rage with a skill that was high tribute to her will-power.
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