"You're not thinking of--of taking me back," he said, aghast at the
very thought of it.
"No. I'm going to make an offer that will give you greater
satisfaction than that. Will you go away from New York forever, if I
pay over to you every cent that I received for my share in Van
Slye's--"
"No!" he almost shouted. "You can't _buy_ me off. I was willing to do
the right thing a minute ago. Now, you've gone and spoiled it all." He
clapped his hands to his eyes; his big frame shook with rage.
She went quickly to him.
"Now, I _know_ you are a man--a big man, Tom. I am prouder of you now
than I ever was in all my life."
He looked bewildered. "You mean, you did that to _try_ me?"
"To try myself," was her enigmatic response,
"Well?"
She stood back and looked at him intently.
"I still have your promise. You _will_ do it to-night?"
He stared at her as if he could not believe his ears, but he said
resolutely:
"Of course, I will."
CHAPTER VIII
COLONEL GRAND AND THE CRONKS
She walked away from him and sat down in one of the big chairs, as if
her limbs suddenly had lost the power to support her.
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