"Well!"
Nancy raised her frightened eyes, glanced at him quickly, and looked down; and there ensued an expressive silence, more eloquent than words. The pause was broken by Mayne, who quietly quoted:
"Gentlemen of the French Guard,—fire first!"
"I suppose you mean that I am to speak," said Nancy in a low voice.
He nodded shortly.
"But I don't know what to say."
Nevertheless she realized that she was fencing with her future life.
"Oh, of course I don't expect you to say you are glad to see me," and he gave an abrupt laugh.
Nancy made no reply,—but her lower lip quivered.
"May I offer you my congratulations?" he continued. "I hear you are now a great heiress; a goldmine! and Fairplains."