"
I stared at him for a moment in silence. Then I said: "Go and
get her and bring her here. I'll find out what she wants," and
sat down on a bench to wait. Harry departed for the hotel without
a word.
In a few minutes he returned with Le Mire. I rose and proffered
her a seat on the bench, which she accepted with a smile, and
Harry sat down at her side. I stood in front of them.
"Le Mire," said I, and I believe I frowned, "my brother tells me
that you have been offered the name of Lamar in marriage."
"I have thanked him for it," said she with a smile.
"And declined it."
"And--declined it," she agreed.
"Well," said I, "I am not a man of half measures, as you will
soon see, Le Mire. Besides, I appreciate your power. On the day,"
I continued with slow precision--"on the day that you give me a
contract to adhere to that refusal you may have my check for one
million dollars."
She surprised me; I admit it. I had expected a burst of anger,
with a touch of assumed hauteur; the surrender to follow, for I
had made the stake high. But as I stood looking down at her,
waiting for the flash of her eye, I was greeted by a burst of
laughter--the frank laughter of genuine mirth.
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