“You will go with me, anyway, Anita,” he said, with an air of authority. “I must take care of you. We will go, as I planned. The minister I told you of, is a great and good man, he will advise you—”
“Oh, no, I don’t want to talk to a minister!”
“Yes, you do. And his wife is a dear good woman. They will take you into their hearts and home—and then we can all decide what to do. At any rate, you must get away from here. Come, now, pack your bag—and would you mind—Anita—if I ask you not to take the—the money and the ruby pin—”
“But he gave them to me! I tell you, Gordon, John Waring gave me those of his own free will—”
“Because of his affection for you?”
“Yes; for no other reason! I will keep the pin, anyway—I will!”
“Anita, have you any idea how you puzzle me? how you torture me? Well, take what you like. Will you get ready now, and I will let you know as soon as I can, how and when we can start.”
A loud rap was followed by an immediate opening of the door, and Mrs. Adams came into the room.
She stared at Lockwood, but made no comment on his presence there.
“Miss Austin,” she began, “I do not wish you to stay in my house any longer. I have kept you until now, because my husband was so sorry for you, and refused to turn you out. Nor am I turning you out, but—I wish you would leave us alone, Mr. Lockwood.”