Hugh, who also had the hasty temper of his race, burst into a flame of passion.
"It is that d——d Sais!"[[1]] he said, his eyes flashing and his breath coming in short gasps. "Thou hadst better tell me the truth at once——"
"What truth?" said Mari.
"That thou preferrest him to me; that while I was working for thee by day, and dreaming of thee at night, a foolish word from the Englishman's slippery tongue drew thee away from me! Such love is not worth having!"
"If that's how it is, it is not worth giving," said Mari; "and so it won't grieve thee to hear that I have none to give."
She spoke in a pert little voice, and with a toss of her head, very unlike her usual manner.
Hugh was silent for a moment, while he tried to control his angry feelings, and the blood surged through his veins and sang in his ears. Had it come to this? His deep and unswerving love for Mari, who had been the star of his life from boyhood upwards, to be crushed ruthlessly! his tender feelings to be trampled upon at the word of a Sais!
When he spoke next his voice trembled, and he was pale and agitated.
"Think well, Mari; I am not one to turn from my word, or to change the colour of my heart as I change my coat; so think well, lass, before thou answerest my next question, 'Wilt have me or not?'"
"Oh, not, then!" said Mari.