Читать книгу Hidden Foes; Or, A Fatal Miscalculation онлайн

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“To Miss Thurlow,” put in Carter, when the lawyer hesitated. “Her name was mentioned to me, also, and the fact that a bitter rivalry existed between you and Todd.”

“Well, there is some truth in that,” Paulding admitted, flushing. “Regardless of my affection and whether she really cares for me, Mr. Carter, I never considered Todd a fit man for Edna Thurlow. I would not have permitted him to visit a sister of mine, if I had one. Edna is young, however; only nineteen, and it’s not difficult for a man of Todd’s type to deceive an inexperienced girl. I do not mean by that, Mr. Carter, that he would not have cared to marry her. He was out to get her, if possible, and——”

“So are you, Paulding, aren’t you?” Nick interrupted. “Tell me frankly.”

“Yes, indeed, I am, Mr. Carter, if she’ll have me.”

“Do you think she will?”

“I hope so, think so, in fact, though I have not yet ventured to ask her. Bear in mind, Mr. Carter, that she is wealthy, prominent socially, and a very beautiful and accomplished girl, while I am only a struggling lawyer, bucking up against a hard game, and with only patronage and income enough to keep me going. But I’ll make good, all right, and then——”