d has the
fashion of marrying."

"Money rules love."

"No!"

"Yes! Bolon Flett had only scorn for his poor little wife until her
uncle left her two thousand pounds. Since then, no word is long enough
or good enough for her excellencies. Money opens the eyes as well as
the heart. What then, if I make Boris rich?"

"Boris is too proud to take money from thee and I will not be sold to
any man!"

"Wilt thou wait until my meaning is given thee--flying off in a temper
like a foolish woman!"

"I am sorry--speak thy meaning."

"Sit down. Thou art not begging anything."

"Not from thee. I have thy love."

"And thine is mine. This is my plan. Above all things Boris loves a
stirring, money-making business. I am going to ask him to take me as
his partner. Tired am I of living on my past. How many boats has
Boris?"

"Thou knowest he has but one, but she is large and swift, and does as
much business as McLeod's three little sloops."

"Schooners."

"Schooners, then--little ones!"

"Well then, there is a new kind of boat which thou hast never seen.
She is driven by steam, not wind, she goes swiftly, all winds are fair
to her, and she cares little for storms."

"I saw a ship like that when I was in Edinburgh. She lay in Leith
harbour, and the whole school went to Leith to see her come in."

"If Boris will be my partner, I will lay my luck to his, and I will
buy a steam ship, a large coaster--dost thou see?"

Then with a laugh she cried: "I see, I see! Then thou can easily beat
the sloops or schooners, that have nothing but sails. Good is that,
very good!"

"Just so. We can make two trips for their one. No one can trade
against us."

"McLeod may buy steam ships."

"I have learned all about him. His fortune is in real estate, mostly
in Edinburgh. It takes a lifetime to sell property in Edinburgh. We
shall have got all there is to get before McLeod could compete with
Vedder and Ragnor."

"That scheme would please Boris, I know."

"A boat could be built on the Clyde in about four months, I think.
Shall I speak to Boris?"

"Yes, Boris will not fly in the face of good fortune; but mind
this--it is easier to begin that reel than it will be to end it. One
thing I do not like--thou wert angry with Boris, now thou wilt take
him for a partner."

"At any time I can put my anger under my purse--but my anger was
mostly against thee. Now shall I do as I am minded?"

"That way is more likely than not! I think this af