They went further.

Set on the track by his acquaintance with what had passed during Mr.Rassendyll's tenure of the throne, he penetrated the secret which had been kept successfully from the king himself.

In the knowledge of it he found the opportunity for which he had waited; in its bold use he discerned his chance.

I cannot say whether he were influenced more strongly by his desire to reestablish his position in the kingdom or by the grudge he bore against Mr.Rassendyll.He loved power and money; dearly he loved revenge also.

No doubt both motives worked together, and he was rejoiced to find that the weapon put into his hand had a double edge; with one he hoped to cut his own path clear; with the other, to wound the man he hated through the woman whom that man loved.