CHAPTER XIII.
FOR the first few days Richard Bassett expected some annoyance from Mary Wells; but none came, and he began to flatter himself she was too fond of him to give him pain.
This impression was shaken about ten days after the little scene I have described. He received a short note from her, as follows:
“SIR—You must meet me to-night, at the same place, eight o'clock. If you do not come it will be the worse for you.
“M. W.”
Richard Bassett's inclination was to treat this summons with contempt; but he thought it would be wiser to go and see whether the girl had any hostile intentions. Accordingly he went to the tryst. He waited for some time, and at last he heard a quick, firm foot, and Mary Wells appeared. She was hooded with her scarlet shawl, that contrasted admirably with her coal-black hair; and out of this scarlet frame her dark eyes glittered. She stood before him in silence.
He said nothing.
She was silent too for some time. But she spoke first.
“Well, sir, you promised one, and you have married another. Now what are you going to do for me?”