Thus they chatted for some time.
During the past few days a desperate resolve had taken possession of Elliston's brain. He admired the pretty Nell now more than ever, and he was determined to make one more effort to win her regard before going to extremes.
That morning he had braced his nerves with several draughts of brandy, and the fumes yet affected him, thus rendering him extremely imprudent, to say the least.
"Nell, Jule tells me you had company when I came. Who was it?"
"A gentleman."
"Aye, but his name?"
The man's eyes glittered, and seemed to pierce with their keenness to the soul of the girl who sat in front of him. She could smell his breath, too, and the fact that he had been drinking made her a little nervous.
She was anxious for him to depart.
"He is not one of your acquaintances," replied Nell, evasively.
"But one of yours, it seems," sneered the man, in a tone that was the least bit disrespectful.