"If you were absolutely certain of success, then what you say has some force. But, of that, you are by no means sure. We have all the money on our side, and can oppose you with any required force of counsel; and even in the case of a decision adverse to our interests, inset all the costs, and go up with an appeal. You could not settle this matter in two or three years, if we give you battle in good earnest, as we certainly shall, and then the result is doubtful. None know better than you and I how little calculation is to be made on the decision of Courts." Dunbar did not reply to this; but sat with his eyes fixed upon the floor. His companion, after a few moments, resumed— "My fee in this case is to be five thousand dollars, if successful, and one thousand if I fail. If I throw you out on the demurrer, and thus completely kill Malcolm, I will get my five thousand, of course. I can therefore afford, if we get thirty thousand dollars out of old Harrison, to let your share be twenty thousand, and take ten myself. How will that do?" "It looks rather better, I must confess," said Dunbar; "and it shall stand so, if you can arrange all upon the terms proposed." "I will accomplish it without doubt, unless I have mistaken my man." This settled, the friends in iniquity parted. Lawrence Dunbar was far from feeling easy in mind about this affair. Not that he was troubled by anything his conscience ventured to suggest, for that spoke in such low whispers that the words rarely arose to an audible murmur. But he was fearful lest he was playing too high. Two individuals, at least, would know him to be a scoundrel, and the knowledge of that fact, with indubitable proofs thereof, he did not think safe in anybody's hands. But the temptation had proved too strong for him, and he was committed to an extent that made it doubtful whether to retreat was not more perilous than to advance. Thus it is that evil blinds her votaries. It is easy to walk in the plain path of rectitude; but few can tread the devious ways of the wrong-doer without bewilderment at some point, and doubt whether to go forward or seek to retrace the steps that have been taken. CHAPTER IX. A MATRIMONIAL SPECULATION. FIVE years had not passed over the head of Lawrence Dunbar without advances being made by him in certain quarters for the purpose of securing an advantageous matrimonial alliance. That was something of which he never for a moment lost sight. Three times had he met with signal failures; but a renewed effort, and in a new quarter, promised a somewhat better result.