he doesn't even see he has rivals; doesn't see that his brother loves
her. Ah! but I see that, though; lovers' eyes are sharp. Doesn't see
me, who mean to take her from both these Fieldings--and what harm? It
isn't as if their love was like mine. Heaven forbid I should meddle if
it was. A few weeks, and a few mugs of ale would wash her from what
little mind either of them have; but I never loved a woman before, and
never could look at another after her."

And so by degrees Meadows saw that he was quite justified in his
resolve to win Susan Merton, PROVIDED IT WAS DONE FAIRLY.

This resolve taken, all this man's words and actions began to be
colored more or less by his secret wishes; and it is not too much to
say, that this was the hand which was gently but adroitly, with a
touch here and a touch there, pushing George Fielding across the
Ocean.

You see, a respectable man can do a deal of mischief; more than a
rogue could.

A shrug of the shoulders from Meadows had caused the landlord to
distrain.

A hint from Meadows had caused Merton to affront George about Susan.

A tone of Meadows had closed the bank cash-box to the Fieldings' bill
of exchange, and so on. And now, finding it almost impossible to
contain his exultation--for George once in Australia he felt he could
soon vanquish Susan's faint preference, the result of habit--he turned
off, and went to meet his mare at the gate; the boy had just returned