"There, there, Judith! Enough of that! I don't want to be tempted into doing you a harm; far from it. But neither man nor woman must threaten Dick Storms. No one but a lass he is sweet upon would dare do it."
"Dare! I like that!"
"But I don't like it. Once for all, tell me what this is all about."
"You know, as well as I do, that it is everywhere about that you were plighted to the girl up yonder when her father was hurt."
"But you know that there isn't a word of truth in it."
"Not true! Not true! Oh, Richard, I have seen with my own eyes."
Judith lifted her finger threateningly, and shook it close to the young man's face.
"Well, what have you seen?" questioned Dick, a little hoarsely; and even in the moonlight the girl could detect a slow pallor stealing over his face.
"I have been at the inn yonder longer than you know of," she said. "This isn't the first time I've been in the park at night."
He started back a pace, then turned upon her. The cunning of his nature rose uppermost; he spoke to her low and earnestly.