Chapter 37

and he could always be sure of having someone devoted to him . Margaret's frettings and strivings only irked him and it was a relief to leave her at Kilrossan and take a trip to Paris - and Elise . She never worried him ; she regarded marriage in the same light as he did . She loved her freedom . He never had to pretend with her or appear other than he was . She understood him as Margaret never could . But since Peter McGurtrie's death and the reading of his fantastic will , Maurice Tredego had changed his mind about marriage . If Margaret could be given a good allow ance he would make her his wife , since it would be to his advantage to be connected by marriage with Peter McGurtrie's heiress . The next best thing to being her husband .

He was sure that he would soon wield a strong influence over Lucy, and he could gradually get all her affairs into his own hands . He did not fear that Donald would prevent him - those quiet scholarly men were rarely interested in money or ha