Arnault was not deceived, however.

He knew that his present rival was the most dangerous one that he had ever encountered--that Stella might accept him at any time and was much inclined to do so speedily.

Indeed, he was about driven to the belief that she would do so at once but for the fear that the Muirs were in financial peril.

He hoped that this fear and the pressure of her father's need might lead her to decide in his favor, without the necessity of his being the immediate and active agent in breaking down the Muirs.

As a business man, he shrunk from this course, and all the more because Graydon was acting so fairly.