Part 43 (1/2)
Thrasher returned, and stood directly before her.
”Ellen,” he said, firmly; ”I will not be trifled with--I must have an answer.”
She looked up a little startled, thinking, perhaps, she had carried her coquetry too far, but when she saw how troubled he looked, how his eyes sunk under her own, she became certain again of her own power over him, and with that security a desire to tease came back.
”I am not your slave,” she replied; ”how dare you address me in that tone?”
”I did not mean to offend you.”
”But you have offended me seriously; if you only came here to play the tyrant, I would advise you to return at once.”
It took many moments to make his peace, not that she was in the slightest degree offended, but to a woman of her character there is always great pleasure in the exercise of authority, no matter how petty it may be.
”Then you will not promise to set my mind at rest?” he asked, after a short period of more serious conversation.
She shook her head.
”I do not see why you should be otherwise than at rest now.”
”You know I am not, Ellen; you know that I cannot be. At least name some period when my suspense shall end.”
”Not now; the next time you come, perhaps.”
She could not bear to relinquish the pleasure of torturing him. Her own heart was so little touched that she could have no pity for his troubles; indeed, it seemed somewhat to appease the few reproaches which haunted her, in spite of her vanity and selfishness, to occasion him uneasiness and pain.
”When I come a second time you will put me off with some new pretext,”
he said, angrily.
”Then you cannot take my word? Very well; if you will not believe me, what can I do?”
”I have never doubted you, Ellen.”
”Indeed you have had no reason to think about it either way,” she replied, carelessly; ”we were nothing to each other more than common acquaintances.”
”You know that I have loved you for years--that I have given up my home, my profession--have endured and suffered every thing on your account.”
”I would not give much for affection which would be unwilling to do that much,” she retorted.
”I was willing,” he said; ”but at least now, let there be an end to all this--tell me when you will become my wife?”
”When I am accomplished enough to set up for a lady.”
”That you were always.”
”_He_ used to call me so,” she replied, with a shade of sadness.
Thrasher turned pale.
”Don't speak of him in my presence, Ellen; it is cruel.”