She looked up a little startled, thinking, perhaps, she had carried her coquetry too far, but when she saw how troubled he looked, how his eyes sunk under her own, she became certain again of her own power over him, and with that security a desire to tease came back.
"I am not your slave," she replied; "how dare you address me in that tone?"
"I did not mean to offend you."
"But you have offended me seriously; if you only came here to play the tyrant, I would advise you to return at once."
It took many moments to make his peace, not that she was in the slightest degree offended, but to a woman of her character there is always great pleasure in the exercise of authority, no matter how petty it may be.
"Then you will not promise to set my mind at rest?" he asked, after a short period of more serious conversation.
She shook her head.
"I do not see why you should be otherwise than at rest now."
"You know I am not, Ellen; you know that I cannot be. At least name some period when my suspense shall end."
"Not now; the next time you come, perhaps."