The bitterest element in his defeat was the realization that O'Neil, who had bested him at every turn, was destined to profit by the very blow which crushed him. Defeat at the hands of the Copper Trust he would have accepted with a fairly good grace; but the mere thought that Murray O'Neil, whom he considered in every way his inferior, had gained the upper hand was intolerable. It was in keeping with Gordon's character that instead of blaming his own judgment he became furiously angry at the Trust for the mistake of its engineers, and held them responsible for his desperate situation. That it was truly desperate he very soon realized, since disaster to his railroad project meant that his stock-holders would be around his ears like a swarm of hornets, and once they understood the true state of affairs at Hope the complete collapse of his fortunes would surely follow. During the days succeeding the storm he scarcely knew where to turn, so harassed was he; yet he never for a moment wavered in his resolve to make O'Neil pay for his interference and to exact a reckoning from Gloria Gerard. Natalie's presence in Kyak confirmed his belief that O'Neil was interested in her, and he began to plan a stroke by which he could take revenge upon all three. It did not promise in any way to help him out of his financial straits, but at least it would give him a certain satisfaction. He sent word to the girl that he would like to see her. XVII HOW THE PRINCE BECAME A MAN Gordon found his erstwhile ward greatly improved by her recent life. She was brown, vigorous, healthy; her physical charms quickened his pulses. "You must have a very good reason for coming to see me," she began. "I don't flatter myself that it is from affection." "There you wrong me," he assured her, with the warm earnestness he so easily assumed. "I have always regarded you as a daughter." "I have no faith in you." "Exactly, and the knowledge distresses me. You and Gloria were a large part of my life; I can't bear to lose you. I hope--and I believe--that her regard for me has changed no more than mine for her. It remains for me to regain yours." "That is impossible. You had the chance--" "My dear, you can't know my reasons for acting as I did at Omar. But those reasons no longer exist." "Just what--do you mean by that?" stammered Natalie. "I mean what I say. I'm ready to marry your mother." "When?" "At once. You shall plead my cause for me. You shall add your voice to mine--" "That isn't necessary. You know mother is only waiting for you. It means so much to her that she couldn't refuse." "Doesn't it mean anything to you?"