He had had considerable success that morning, it appeared, at an
auction of some fine things at a house near Carlisle; having not only
secured what he wanted himself, but having punished two or three of his
most prominent rivals, by bidding high for some inferior thing, exciting
their competition, and then at the critical moment dropping it on the
nose, as he explained it, of one of his opponents. "Wilson of York came
to me nearly in tears, and implored me to take some beastly pot or other
that I had made him buy at a ridiculous price. I told him he might keep
it, as a reminder that I always paid those out who bid against me. Then
I found I could get an earlier train home; and I confess I was curious to
see how young Tatham would look, on my premises. He did not expect that I
should catch him here." The Ogre chuckled.
"You told me, if you remember," said Faversham, not without emphasis,
"that I was to say to him you would not be at home."
"I know. But sometimes there are impulses--of different kinds--that I
can't resist. Of different kinds--" repeated Melrose, his glittering,
absent look fixed on Faversham.
There was silence a little. Then Melrose said slowly, as he rose from his
chair: "I have--a rather important proposition to make to you. That
fellow Undershaw would attack me if I began upon it now. Moreover, it
will want a fresh mind. Will it suit you if I come to see you at eleven
o'clock to-morrow?"
IX
On the following morning, Faversham, for the first time, dressed without
assistance, and walked independently--save for his stick--into his
sitting-room.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194