“Away with him!” repeated Mr. Harris, gesticulating with his arms wildly.
The two lackeys advanced, encouraged no doubt by the assurance of Sam’s assistance.
They were brought to an abrupt halt by Corway, who stepped in front of them and declared with heat, “Stand back! I demand an explanation!”
In a low, hoarse voice that quivered with the intensity of his passion, with ghastly white face, and glittering eyes that flashed the lie to his forced calmness, Thorpe replied: “You shall have it—blackguard, liar, and coward!” With which he struck Corway on the mouth with the back of his closed hand.
Corway passionately rushed at him and attempted to strike, but Mr. Harris sprang between them and caught his upraised arm, and with the help of Sam, separated them.
When Sam sprang down the steps to his uncle’s assistance, Virginia was left standing on the piazza watching the progress of the quarrel with intense interest and also evidently alarmed at the violent passion her brother displayed.
With a woman’s intuition, she surmised that Rutley had worked on John’s jealous susceptibilities with merciless finesse.
Rutley, who was watching her, noted her alarmed expression, and feeling it to be a sign of weakening purpose, stepped over and stood beside her, so silently that she was quite unaware of his presence.
“It’s a horrible wrong,” she muttered.
The words were caught by Rutley, and he whispered, so close as to startle her, “Remember the wrong Corway has done you.”