He dragged her forcibly along the pathway, and displayed such an excess of fury that the girl was seriously alarmed.
“I must ha’ bin a born fool to ha’ come here, and I be rightly served. Let me go!”
“Answer my question first—his name—tell me the fellow’s name and I’ll then release you—not before. You’ve played me false, and you know it.”
He had by this time become more like a maniac than a rational being.
Nell struggled desperately to release herself from his grasp, but although a strong-built muscular young woman she found herself almost powerless in the grip of her persecutor.
“Have I wasted all my thoughts all this time over one who is so base and worthless?” he ejaculated with supreme bitterness. “Am I to become the laughing stock of the whole neighbourhood?”
“I wish I’d never seen you. I hate you!” cried Nelly, in a spiteful tone. “What have I done to be treated thus?”
“One word and we are friends for life. Say you will be mine,” said he.
“I will say nothing till you let me go.”
“I’ll have your answer one way or the other,” shouted out Peace, drawing a revolver from his pocket. “By the heavens above, I will make you answer me.”