Villars became suddenly livid—after a second's pause, a great perpendicular vein showed itself suddenly in his forehead.
"You would, would you? Well, from what I've seen of Mayne, he's the last sort of fellow to give you another chance; and anyhow this little episode with me, will, if you are his wife, choke him off altogether! Listen to me, Nancy, I implore you; why waste your lovely youth? Why not come with me: live while you live, and see the far away beautiful world? And you shall come with me," he concluded doggedly.
"I'd infinitely rather die!" she answered with decision.
"Oh, Nancy, when you speak, and look like that,—you break my heart; for months you have been my hope, and star,—my one thought,—my only object in life. Surely you guessed?"
"Never! or do you suppose, I should have been so friendly, and sisterly and trustful? Mrs. De Wolfe said your emotional speeches, and impulsive acts, were merely your Italian way,—and meant nothing,—she was mistaken, I see!"
"She was," now approaching, his eyes flaming in a white face.
At this moment, the door opened, and Mrs. Bode appeared in a bedgown and slippers. "There's ten o'clock gone, sir, and I'm thinking, that you and your lady, will have to stop here to-night. I can make up a room: it's not very grand, but,——" further information was interrupted,—by Nancy, who, thrusting the astonished matron violently aside, dashed out of the door, and ran down the long passage into the kitchen. The sound of Nancy's high-heeled shoes racing along the flags, brought Villars to his senses; he had a marvellous power of recovery and self-control; he had realized from the first, when Nancy recoiled from him against the shutter, that the game was lost! nevertheless, some infernal, perverse, impulse, urged him to persist! He might yet gain her by threats, and alarms—such cases had been known!
What devil had entered into him, and forced him to snatch his opportunity; had whispered into his ear,—as he wrote that telegram in this accursed room? The insanity of half an hour, had cost him the loss of Nancy, and his old godmother. Naturally the Court would be closed to him for the rest of his life. Yes! he had pretty well cooked himself. Well! he must make the most of a bad job!
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bode was staring at him, with her hands on her hips and her mouth half open. At last he turned round, and said: "The young lady and I have had a falling out."
"Looks a bit like it, sir! and I declare, here's the car come back for you at last!" for just at this moment, Antonio glided up to the entrance. Strange to say, neither the man nor motor were the same—this vehicle was a big grey open car, and there was luggage, and a lady's fur-lined coat, which the chauffeur brought in, and handed to Mrs. Bode with a ceremonious bow.