“Do you know what I've half a mind to do?” Stanborough said at length in an exceedingly calm voice.
“Yes; to kill me. But you haven't half the pluck—not you! I know you of old.”
“All right, we shall see. I give you the rest of this night to clear out in. If you don't, you may lose me my game; but you may bet your soul, Ada Lefroy, I'll have you locked up before you're a day older.”
He shook his fist in her face and went away very abruptly; but in a minute he was back, all eagerness and soft persuasion.
“I have nothing against you, Ada,” he began now. “You and I have had fun together. And after all, what have I to gain by getting you locked up? What is it to me if you hoodwink these old people and run your own risk? Why should I want you to clear out to-night? See here, my girl, I don't want you to do anything of the kind. You sit tight as long as you think you can; only go back now, like a sensible sort, and get 'Bella to come along with me, like another.”
“I can't.”
“You could. It was you who persuaded her not to come. I know it was; so don't tell me you couldn't persuade her that I am all right, and to keep her word with me after all.”
“Then I won't say I couldn't I'll say I never will.”
“And you mean that?”
“Of course I mean it.”