"Indeed you would not," answered North, quietly.
"What should prevent me?"
"She will. You dare not break a solemn promise to her."
"I dare!" she almost shrieked, clenching her little hand in a paroxysm of rage. "I will, if ever you come here again."
"No; I think not. Women are weak creatures, but they generally find strength to keep secrets that bring ruin in the telling. You cannot be over anxious to see this proud brother of yours commit murder on——"
"On a villain—a household traitor—a—a——"
Elsie stopped for want of breath.
"Be quiet," said North, rising sternly and towering over her. "I have no dealings with you. One might as well reason with a handful of silkweed thrown upon the wind."
"But I will have something to say—everything to say. You have pursued her, plundered her, tortured her long enough. More than once she has been on the brink of discovery by your persistence in prowling over the grounds and from her attempts to conceal your rapacious extortions. All this must end."
"With all my heart; let the lady accede to my terms and I disappear."