"So young Palmer is bound to marry Richmond Montague's fair daughter,"
she murmured, with curling lips and a bitter laugh; "and his father is
only too willing, provided she can be found. Ha! ha! ha!" a soft,
rippling laugh of intense amusement and scorn bursting from her red lips.
"I wonder what they would say if they knew all that I know? I'd give a
great deal if I could ascertain just how much the girl knows about
herself. She could make a great deal of trouble for me if--"
She broke off suddenly just here, but after a few moments of thought
resumed, in another strain:
"I believe I shall have to cultivate my new acquaintances. I think I can
play the father against the son, and, _vice versa_, for it was evident
to-night that both, with very little encouragement, would become my
willing slaves. I imagine that the senior Palmer might make a very
agreeable companion. He is reported to be rich--a diamond merchant, and
I am fond of diamonds. He is certainly very gallant and not bad-looking.
Yes, I think I must cultivate him; and then, if the junior member should
discover his inamorata by and by, a word in the ear of the father might
be sufficient to blast Miss Mona's hopes, and thus complete the work I
began so successfully--at least in some respects--so many years ago. Ah,
Madame Mona, you did not realize the strength of the spirit which you
defied that day in Paris.
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