He really could not do it.

And yet all the while he chuckled internally as he thought of the terrible dilemma in which she would be speedily caught, and how completely it would place her at his mercy.

She must come to terms then.

And Sir Francis rubbed his skinny hands gleefully at the thought.

On her part, Madame Bonaventure guessed what was passing in his breast, and secretly enjoyed the idea of checkmating him.