I shall certainly sue for a
divorce!"
"Against a blind girl?"
"I don't care a straw whether she's blinded or not!"
And then, for the first time in all that long interview, Matheson blazed
into open anger.
"You know human nature?" he cried. "By God, you know your own, and you
measure every other woman by yourself! Behind my back you throw yourself
at this damned scoundrel!" He flung out his hand toward Larssen.
There was no answering anger in Larssen. He knew too well the value of
keeping cool. He merely put in a word to egg Matheson on to a further
outburst.
"That's a chivalrous accusation to make," said he.
"It's true as everything else I've said! Last night, at Thornton Chase,
in the drawing-room before dinner, I saw through, the uncurtained
window...."
Too late he pulled himself up short. The irrevocable word had been said.
Olive was now implacable. Her voice was steely as she answered:
"I wish to Heaven you were dead!"
Larssen saw his supreme moment. "Why not?" he suggested.
"I don't understand."
"Let him disappear. Let him become John Riviere for good and all."
"But my divorce?"
"Give it up--on conditions. You'll have your freedom just the same."
"What conditions?"
"Ask your husband to sign approval of my Hudson Bay prospectus as it
stands."
"Doesn't he approve it?"
"No," answered Matheson. "That's why I came back."
"What's wrong with it?"
"It gives Larssen control.
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