"What are those terms?"
"I will write them, and your own fair hands shall give her the note."
Elsie did not answer, but her white lips closed firmly, and her blue eyes glittered like steel in the glow of a hot fire, as he dipped his pen deliberately in the bronze inkstand and began to write.
"There," he said, folding the note and presenting it to her with a princely air, as if her courage had impressed him with respect; "place this in her hands and she will know how to carry it out."
Elsie took the note and hid it away in the folds of her dress.
"Do not fail," he said, before taking his hat from the table.
"I will not," answered Elsie. "But these cruel visits must cease now and for ever. I will give the note only on this condition."
"Her answer will decide that. Now, good-bye."
He reached forth his hand, smiling pleasantly upon her; but she clenched hers, as if tempted to strike him for the insolent offer, and turned away biting her pale lips.
The hand, rejected with such disdain, fell towards the hat which North placed lightly on his head, casting one glance in the opposite mirror as he did so. Then, with the elastic step of a man retiring from a festival, he left the chamber, while Elsie looked after him with wondering eyes and parted lips, astonished by an audacity which was absolutely sublime.