He laughed to himself to think how easy the task was; so easy, in fact, that he felt a touch of contempt for that which was so easily won.
"It will be a good thing for me," he said to himself.

"If I succeed, painting may go.

I shall not trouble myself about anything but spending money.

If I succeed, Adelaide shall have her reward." And he pleased himself by thinking how, out of his forty thousands, he would give her a fortune.
"She deserves it.

She has worked hard for me, and she shall not be forgotten." It did not occur to him that there would arise any serious difficulty.
Of course, no steps could be taken until she was twenty-one.