She waited for him to continue, her heart burning resentfully.
“I know that I am accounted the luckiest and most enviable mortal on earth because I have stepped in and taken the prize that so many sighed for in vain; but, Elaine, my darling, now that we are engaged, it maddens me to see such men as Viscount Rivington forever dancing attendance upon you.”
“Harold,” she said, calmly, “what am I to do?”
“You must show by your manners that—that——”
“I cannot be rude to my father’s friend,” she replied, decidedly. “You are asking too much, Sir Harold. You insult me.”
He had seized her hand in a moment, and was showering kisses upon it.
“No, no, Elaine, a thousand times no! It is only my great love for you that makes me so exacting. You will forgive me, darling, when I tell you that I have heard from several people that you were all but engaged to Viscount Rivington, when I arrived in England, but two short months since. I want you to deny this, and I shall be eternally satisfied.”
Lady Elaine had turned as pale as death.
“I do deny it, Sir Harold, unequivocally.”
She looked at him fearlessly, and his heart smote him.