She knew perfectly, before the close of this brief interview, that Freeling was a man without principle, false and unscrupulous, and that if Granger were associated with him in business, he could, if he chose, not only involve him in transactions of a dishonest nature, but throw upon him the odium and the consequences.
"Do you think," she said to Granger, not long afterward, "that your friend, Mr.Freeling, would like to have you for a partner in business ?" The question surprised and excited him.
"I know it," he returned; "he has said so more than once." "How much capital would he require ?" "Ten thousand dollars." "A large sum to risk." "Yes; but I do not think there will be any risk.

The business is well established." "What do you know about Mr.Freeling ?" "Not a great deal; but if I am any judge of character, he is fair and honorable." Mrs.Dinneford turned her head that Granger might not see the expression of her face.
"You had better talk with Mr.Dinneford," she said.
But Mr.Dinneford did not favor it.

He had seen too many young men go into business and fail.
So the matter was dropped for a little while.

But Mrs.Dinneford had set her heart on the young man's destruction, and no better way of accomplishing the work presented itself than this.

He must be involved in some way to hurt his good name, to blast his reputation and drive him to ruin.