Part 73 (2/2)
There is a short silence fraught with misery for one soul, at all events.
”Believe in me still,” says Tom Hescott, in a queer, low tone.
”Believe in me now--and for ever--to”--with pa.s.sionate fondness--”the last moment of your life.” He draws his breath sharply. ”And now good-bye.”
He struggles with himself, and, failing in the struggle, catches her suddenly to his breast, and there holds her to his heart for half a minute, perhaps.
Then he releases her. It is all over. He had not even tried to kiss her. He goes swiftly past her into the gloom beyond the dying lamp, and is lost.
t.i.ta stands as if stricken dumb. For a second only. _Then_ she is conscious of a hand being laid on her arm, of her being forcibly led forward to her own room, of the door being closed behind her.
She turns and looks up at Rylton. His eyes are blazing. He is dangerously white across cheeks and nose.
”There shall be an end of this!” says he.
CHAPTER XV.
HOW JEALOUSY RUNS RIOT IN OAKDEAN; AND HOW MARGARET TRIES TO THROW OIL UPON THE WATERS; AND HOW A GREAT CRASH COMES, WITH MANY WORDS AND ONE SURPRISE.
t.i.ta has wrenched herself from his grasp.
”Of _what?”_ demands she.
”Do you think you can hoodwink me any longer? There shall be an end of it--do you hear?” Rylton's face, as she now sees it in the light of the lamps in her room, almost frightens her. ”I've had enough of it!”
”I don't understand you!” says t.i.ta, standing well away from him, her face as white as ashes.
As for _his_ face----
”Don't you?” violently. ”Then I shall explain. I've had enough of what ruins men's lives and honours--of what leads to----”
”To?” says the girl, shrinking, yet leaning forward.
”To the devil--to the Divorce Court!” says Rylton, with increasing violence. ”Do you think I did not see you and him just now--you--_in his arms!_ Look here!”
He seizes her arm. There is a quick, sudden movement, and she is once again free. Such a little, fragile creature! She seems to have grown a woman during this encounter, and to be now tall to him, and strong and imperious.
”Don't!” says she, in a curious tone, so low as to be almost unheard, yet clear to him. ”Don't come near me. _Don't!_ What do you accuse me of?”
”You know right well. Do you think the whole world--_our_ world, at all events--has not seen how it has been with you and----”
He cannot go on. He pauses, looking at her. He had meant to spare her feelings; but, to his surprise, she meets his gaze fully, and says, ”Well?” in a questioning way.
At this his rage bursts forth.
”Are you _quite_ shameless that you talk to me like this?” cries he.
”Are you mad?” As he speaks, his fingers tighten on a piece of paper--evidently a letter--that he is holding in his right hand.
”You _must_ know that I saw you with him to-night--you--in his arms--_you_----”
<script>