“No; not even from being aware that one of his chief claims upon the wife was the unhandsome way he spoke of the husband.”
“He seldom mentions you,” said she, superciliously.
“I am not so scrupulous about him, then; I have not forgotten his conduct when that fellow got his skull cracked at the Nest. I saw it all, Madam; but I have a trick of seeing and saying nothing that might have suggested some alarm to you ere this.”
“You have many tricks, but not one that alarms me,” said she, coldly; “the wholesome fear of consequences will always be enough to keep you harmless.”
He almost sprang at her at these words; indeed, he came so close that his hot breath brushed her face. “It is a favorite taunt of yours to sneer at my courage,” said he, fiercely; “you may do it once too often.”
She shrugged her shoulders contemptuously, and slowly arose from where she sat.
“Where are you going?” asked he, roughly.
“Going in.”
“I have many things to say yet; I want to hear more, too, about the old man's illness.”
“I have told you all I know. Good-night.”