There was a feeling of personal safety and dignity in the very sound of his voice which set a weak and easily-led man upon his feet.
But Victor Durnovo had something to say to Gordon which circumstances had brought to a crisis.
"Look here," he said, leaning forward and throwing away the cigarette he had been smoking.

"This Simiacine scheme is going to be the biggest thing that has ever been run on this coast." "Yes," said Gordon, with the indifference that comes from non-participation.
"And I'm the only business man in it," significantly.
Gordon nodded his head, awaiting further developments.
"Which means that I could work another man into it.

I might find out that we could not get on without him." The black eyes seemed to probe the good-natured, sensual face of Maurice Gordon, so keen, so searching was their glance.
"And I would be willing to do it--to make that man's fortune--provided--that he was--my brother-in-law." "What the devil do you mean ?" asked Gordon, setting down the glass that was half raised to his lips.
"I mean that I want to marry--Jocelyn." And the modern school of realistic, mawkishly foul novelists, who hold that Love excuseth all, would have taken delight in the passionate rendering of the girl's name.
"Want to marry Jocelyn, do you ?" answered Maurice, with a derisive little laugh.

On the first impulse of the moment he gave no thought to himself or his own interests, and spoke with undisguised contempt.

He might have been speaking to a beggar on the roadside.
Durnovo's eyes flashed dangerously, and his tobacco-stained teeth clenched for a moment over his lower lip.
"That is my desire--and intention." "Look here, Durnovo!" exclaimed Gordon.