"You have ruined me," he said, bitterly, "and the curse of a broken-hearted man will rest upon you!"
"I do not think the Darrells are much frightened at curses," she retorted; and then, in all the magnificence of her shining gems and golden-hued dress, she swept from the spot.
Yes, he was ruined, desperate. Half an hour since, entering that conservatory, he had wondered whether he should leave it a happy, prosperous man. He knew now that there was nothing but blank, awful despair, ruin and shame, before him. He had lost her, too, and love and hate fought fiercely in his heart. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed aloud.
A ruined man! Was ever so splendid a chance lost? It drove him mad to think of it! All was due to the willful caprice of a willful girl.
Then he remembered that time was passing, and that he must tell Sir Oswald that he had failed—utterly, ignominiously failed. He went back to the ball-room and saw the baronet standing in the center of a group of gentlemen. He looked anxiously at the captain, and at his approach the little group fell back, leaving them alone.
"What news, Aubrey?" asked Sir Oswald.
"The worst that I can possibly bring. She would not even hear of it."
"And you think there is no hope either now or at any future time?"
"I am, unfortunately, sure of it. She told me in plain words that she would rather die than marry me, and she laughed at your threats."
Sir Oswald's face flushed; he turned away haughtily.