Part 75 (2/2)

”Now, that is young again,” he said, with his kindly smile-indulgent.

”It is the outcome of sad experience,” Beth rejoined with a sigh. ”No woman I have met here so far has shown any inclination to cultivate my acquaintance. I think I am being punished for some unknown crime.”

Sir George became thoughtful, but said nothing.

As they approached the house, Beth saw Dan peeping at them from behind the curtain of an upstairs window. The hall-table was covered with the fruit and flowers Sir George had brought. Beth sent a servant for Dan.

The girl came back and said that the doctor was not in.

”Nonsense!” said Beth. ”I saw him at one of the windows just now. If you will excuse me, Sir George, I will find him myself.”

She called him as she ran upstairs, and Dan made his appearance, looking none too well pleased.

He went down to Sir George, and Beth ran on up to her secret chamber for her ma.n.u.scripts and the books Sir George had lent her, which had been waiting ready packed for many a day.

When he had gone, Beth danced round the dining-room, clapping her hands.

”I can't contain myself,” she exclaimed. ”I do feel encouraged, strengthened, uplifted.”

She caught a glimpse of Dan's face, and stopped short.

”What's the matter?” she said.

”The matter is that I'll have no more of this,” he answered in a brutal tone.

”No more of what?” Beth demanded.

”No more of this man's philandering after you,” he retorted.

”I don't understand you,” Beth gasped.

”Oh, you're mighty innocent,” he sneered. ”You'll be telling me next that he comes to see _me_, lends _me_ books, walks up and down by the hour together with _me_, brings _me_ fruit and flowers! You think I'm blind, I suppose! _You_'re a nice person! and so particular too! and so fastidious in your conversation! Oh, trust a prude! But I tell you,” he bawled, coming up close to her, and shaking his fist in her face, ”I tell you I won't have it. Now, do you understand that?”

Beth did not wince, but oh, what a drop it was from the heights she had just left to this low level! ”Be good enough to explain your meaning precisely,” she said quietly. ”I understand that you are bringing some accusation against me. It is no use bl.u.s.tering and shaking your fist in my face. I am not to be frightened. Just explain yourself. And I advise you to weigh your words, for you shall answer to me in public for any insult you may offer me in private.”

Dr. Maclure was sobered by this unexpected flash of spirit. They had been married nearly three years by this time, and Beth's habitual docility had deceived him. Hitherto men have been able to insult their wives in private with impunity when so minded, and Dan was staggered for a moment to find himself face to face with a mere girl who boldly refused to suffer the indignity. He was not prepared for such a display of self-respect.

”You're very high and mighty!” he jeered at last.

”I am very determined,” Beth rejoined, and set her lips.

He tried to subdue her by staring her out of countenance; but Beth scornfully returned his gaze. Then suddenly she stamped her foot, and brought her clenched fist down on the dining-room table, beside which she was standing. ”Come, come, sir,” she said, ”we've had enough of this theatrical posing. You are wasting my time, explain yourself.”

He took a turn up and down the room.

”Look here, Beth,” he began, lowering his tone, ”you cannot pretend that Galbraith comes to see me.”

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