His epistolary
seed planted in Delhi had brought forth fruit as rapidly as the
magic of the Indian conjuror's mango-tree trick. It was already
rumored even in Allahabad that "Hawke had dropped upon a decidedly
good thing." The Major was busied, however, in analyzing the motives
of Alixe Delavigne, in her change of name, her separate journey,
her choice of the Calcutta route, and the inner nature of her
projected enterprise.
"A woman in her position, easy as to fortune, will stoop to none
of the arts of the blackmailer; she could choose a life of soft
luxury, for she is yet in the bloom of vigorous early womanhood.
To her the personality of Hugh Fraser is surely nothing. There
are but two objects of attack--his proposed social elevation, the
nattering title, and the peace of mind and future of the daughter,
this lovely veiled Rose! Love, a natural love, even for the stranger
child, would ward away the blow; but only an unslaked vengeance
would point the shaft! The reproduction of her sister's face seemed
to touch her to her very bosom's core. There is some fixed purpose
in this cold-hearted woman's coming! Not a lingering annoyance, but
some coup de main, a bolt to be launched at Hugh Johnstone alone!"
"I do not know how I can break her lines, unless she shows me
some weak point," he mused. "But either her fortune or Johnstone's
shall yield me a heavy passing toll.
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