“It is you who dishonor the family, by loving this base-born adventurer.”
“Oh! Charles,” she cried, reproachfully, with a burst of feeling, “I had not expected this of you.”
He turned on the instant. Again he thought she might be induced to relent.
“Promise me,” he said, eagerly, “that you will listen to my suit. Only promise me a probation, I ask nothing more. I will then do anything you wish.”
She shook her head sadly, but firmly.
“Then it’s no use deceiving me,” was the angry answer, as he flung off the hand which he had taken.
“You love this low fellow, this cowardly traitor—”
“Stop,” said Kate, with an air of command, her person seeming actually to dilate before her companion’s eyes. “I will not hear a gentleman maligned to whom we all owe so much. Nay!” she continued, almost sternly, as Aylesford attempted to speak, “I will be heard, and once for all. You forget yourself, and trespass on even the privileges of a relation, when you charge me with loving Major Gordon. You grossly insult me, when you say that I could love any man merely because he saved my life. Moreover,” she added, with something of haughty scorn in her manner, “if you will seek this gentleman’s blood, you may find to your cost that he is anything but a coward. As for me,” and her eyes sparkled with determination, “I shall take good care that Major Gordon knows that I have no share in this dishonorable requital.”
With these words she swept from the room like an empress, not condescending to pursue the altercation further.
Aylesford, with an oath, saw the door close after her, when, hastily arming himself, he ordered his horse saddled and went forth to provoke the duel which we have seen so opportunely interrupted.