While conversing and joking together in the smoking-room, or on the terrace, amid the pleasures of the table, knocking the balls about at billiards or so forth, how little could the unconscious Allan have dreamed that his father's guest--the son of his old friend--had been pondering over the art of 'Killing no murder;' of accidents brought about in the hunting-field, at cover shooting, or hill-climbing; even of dynamite cigars! Had he not heard of such things at Monaco, Homburg, and elsewhere. He knew that there was quite a manufactory of such cigars at Temeswar, in Austria; but wherever were such pleasant gifts 'to be obtained in an out-of-the-way hole like the Carse of Gowrie?' His teeth under his moustache glittered or glistened whitely when such ideas occurred to him; though he chatted away with perhaps forced _insouciance_ and gaiety, under all his assumed ease of manner there smouldered a lava-like glow--mingled hate of Allan and coveting of Olive, but with an emotion of a much coarser nature, combined with greed. Seeing Clairette, Olive's maid, passing, Allan made up the bangle in a little packet as he still wished no more explanations on the subject, and desired her to give it to her mistress. 'You and Miss Raymond seem exceedingly good friends now,' said Holcroft. 'We were never otherwise,' replied Allan, curtly, and displeased by the remark. 'What a prize in matrimony such a girl must be, with so much beauty and--wealth.' 'It is sometimes a misfortune for a girl to be rich, or to be thought so,' said Allan. 'Why?' 'Because she may become the prey of some needy fortune-hunter or enterprising scamp.' Holcroft winced at the reply, though it was made casually and without the least design by Allan. 'But in marrying, Miss Raymond might perhaps be poor enough.' 'What paradox is this?' asked Holcroft, thoroughly interested, while Allan felt some disdain at discussing such matters with such a man. 'Yes, poor as a church mouse, unless--' 'Unless what?' 'She marries _me_,' replied Allan, who, with perhaps pardonable pique, only thought of provoking a man who had tried to rival him, and whom he deemed a needy and adventurous gambler. This seemed only to corroborate what Holcroft had heard before, and gave him some occasion for thought. 'I have heard rumours of a family compact--a most fortunate one for you,' said he, smiling; 'but suppose you--excuse me for saying so--were to predecease her?' 'Then my pretty cousin would be a free woman; but I don't mean to die yet awhile. Let us take a turn before dinner,' he added, to change the conversation he had no desire to continue. 'Where?' 'Anywhere you like; but, as the evening has become chill, suppose we smoke our cigars in the picture-gallery?' 'All right, I am your man.' Had Allan looked at Hawke Holcroft just then he might have perceived a lurid gleam in his stealthy eyes, and how his hands were clenched till the nails of his fingers bruised the palms thereof.