“I took it from your table, where it lay conspicuously. I did not deem it necessary to ask you. Nor do I like such language as this.”
“You have laid yourself open to it by your action,” she answered, pacing the floor with an excitement that would not let her keep still. “I will cling to my lover, sir, whatever you do with him. You cannot turn me against him. He is an innocent, injured man. And I will not be made a party to this vile persecution. I demand a return of the bow that was taken from my room without my knowledge.”
“You cannot have it,” he replied, his cheek flushed with anger. “It is in the hands of the authorities, and there it must remain as evidence.”
“You have robbed me, and I will not submit to it,” she passionately replied. “You have shown your hand fully, and established yourself as my declared enemy. I can no longer remain under your roof. Two houses must hold us from this henceforth. I cast my lot with John Elkton. I will be true to him whatever betide, and a foe to his foes.”
“Now, child, you are talking pure nonsense,” said Mr. Leonard, gravely. “I cannot consent to any such madness. It would look well, indeed, to let you seem as if driven from my house.”
“There would be no seeming about it. I am driven from your house. I have stayed in it as long as my self-respect will permit.”
“You are my ward. My child in the law. I will not consent to your going.”
“I am a woman, and mistress of my actions. I will go.”
“This is madness, girl. Go where? What is to become of you? Who is to take care of you?”
“I am not friendless, sir. I can find refuge with people who will consider me before their own self-interest.”