She disliked
anything underhanded; but, then, she disliked the prospect of Bridget's
becoming Mrs. Faversham still more. Instead, however, of causing
Colonel Faversham to hold his hand, Carrissima merely succeeded in
egging him on. Rising excitedly from his chair he stood glaring at her
for a few moments, as if he were going to break into a torrent of
abuse; but turning abruptly away he left the room, slamming the door
behind him so that the house shook. Making his way down-stairs he sat
up late in the smoking-room, and when at last he went to bed, found it
impossible to sleep.
During the small hours it seemed almost as though Carrissima's hint
might prove of some avail. For the first time he began to hesitate
concerning the future. In an exceptionally sane interval he came near
to agreement with his daughter. Her remark about Bridget's means had
been, in fact, a revelation. Not that he cared whether she possessed
any money or not, but the absence of it might be a deplorable
temptation.
Could it be possible that she had been deliberately awaiting Mark's
return, postponing her answer to the older man until she convinced
herself there was not a chance of securing the younger? An infuriating
suspicion, but still not capable of causing Colonel Faversham's
withdrawal.
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