"He has mocked me twice, and I believe hinders me now," returned Fontelles, his hot temper rising again.
Barbara clasped her hands, and cried triumphantly,
"Go to him, go to him. Heaven is good to me! Go to Simon Dale!"
The amazed eyes of Fontelles and the sullen enraged glance of Carford recalled her to wariness. Yet the avowal (O, that it had pleased God I should hear it!) must have its price and its penalty. A burning flush spread over her face and even to the border of the gown on her neck. But she was proud in her shame, and her eyes met theirs in a level gaze.
To Fontelles her bearing and the betrayal of herself brought fresh and strong confirmation of Carford's warning. But he was a gentleman, and would not look at her when her blushes implored the absence of his eyes.
"I go to seek Mr Dale," said he gravely, and without more words turned on his heel.
In a sudden impulse, perhaps a sudden doubt of her judgment of him, Barbara darted after him.
"For what purpose do you seek him?"
"Madame," he answered, "I cannot tell you."
She looked for a moment keenly in his face; her breath came quick and fast, the hue of her cheek flashed from red to white.