She had
taken it for granted that Jack would succeed, and would return rich
and prosperous within a few months. Upon this pleasant certainty
Sir John had cast a doubt, and she could hardly treat his words with
contempt. She had almost forgotten Guy Oscard's letter. Across a
hemisphere Jack Meredith was a stronger influence in her life than
Oscard.
While she sat on the terrace and flirted with the baron she
reflected hurriedly over the situation. She was, she argued to
herself, not in any way engaged to Guy Oscard. If he in an
unguarded moment should dare to mention such a possibility to Jack,
it would be quite easy to contradict the statement with convincing
heat. But in her heart she was sure of Guy Oscard. One of the
worst traits in the character of an unfaithful woman is the
readiness with which she trades upon the faithfulness of men.
CHAPTER XVII. UNDERHAND
The offender never pardons.
Victor Durnovo lingered on at Loango. He elaborated and detailed to
all interested, and to some whom it did not concern, many excuses
for his delay in returning to his expedition, lying supine and
attendant at Msala. It was by now an open secret on the coast that
a great trading expedition was about to ascend the Ogowe river,
with, it was whispered, a fortune awaiting it in the dim perspective
of Central Africa.
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