Part 57 (1/2)

he cried, pa.s.sionate in his earnestness now, ”I love you, and I'm sorry for all that's gone by; but I'm getting squarer every day.”

”But I tell you it is impossible. I'm going away; it was all a mistake.

I can't listen to you, and I tell you once more I'm going to be a miserable, peevish cripple all my life.”

”No, you're not,” said the lad, drawing himself up and tightening his lips. ”You're not going to be miserable, because I'd make you happy; and I like a girl to be sharp with a fellow like you can; it does one good. And as to being a cripple, why, Jenny, my dear, I love you so that I'd marry you to-morrow, if you had no legs at all.”

Jenny looked at him in horror, as he still stood framed in the doorway; but averted her eyes, turning them to the window, as she found how eagerly he was watching her, while her heart began to beat rapidly, as she felt now fully how dangerous a game was that upon which she had so lightly entered. Rough as his manner was, she could not help feeling that it was genuine in its respect for her, though all the same she felt alarmed; but directly after, the dread pa.s.sed away in a feeling of relief, and a look of malicious glee made her eyes flash, as she saw her brother coming along the road.

But the flash died out, and in repentance for her wish that Pierce might pounce suddenly upon the intruder, she said, quickly:

”Mr Wilton, don't stop here; go--go, please, directly. Here's my brother coming.”

She blushed, and felt annoyed directly after, angry with herself and angry at her lame words, the more so upon Claud bursting out laughing.

”Not he,” cried the lad. ”You said that to frighten me.”

”No, indeed; pray go. He will be so angry,” she cried.

”I don't care, so long as you are not.”

”But I am,” she cried, ”horribly angry.”

”You don't look it. I never saw you seem so pretty before.”

”But he is close here, and--and, and I am so ill--it will make me worse.

Pray, pray, go.”

”I say, do you mean that?” he said, eagerly. ”If I thought you really did, I'd--”

”You insolent dog! How dare you?” roared Pierce, catching him by the collar and forcing him into the room. ”You dare to come here and insult my sister like this!”

”Who has insulted her?” cried Claud, hotly.

”You, sir. It is insufferable. How dare you come here?”

”Gently, doctor,” said Claud, coolly; ”mind what you are saying.”

”Why are you here, sir?”

”Come to see how your sister was.”

”What is it to you, puppy? Leave the house,” cried, Pierce, s.n.a.t.c.hing the hunting whip from the young man's hand, ”or I'll flog you as you deserve.”

”No, you won't,” said Claud, looking him full in the eyes, with his lips tightening together. ”You can't be such a coward before her, and upset her more. Ask her if I've insulted her.”

”No, no, indeed, Pierce; Mr Wilton has been most kind and gentlemanly-- more so than I could have expected,” stammered Jenny, in fear.

”Gentlemanly,” cried Pierce scornfully. ”Then it is by your invitation he is here. Oh, shame upon you.”