Waldemar approached a step nearer, and his eyes rested with a penetrating glance upon her face. "Indeed," he said, slowly, and strongly emphasizing every word,--"indeed, I was not aware that Villica was of so much consequence to your party."
"Do you believe--" Wanda began.
"I believe that one day I shall have to pay dear for being master of these estates," interrupted he. "Four years ago the main point was to induce me to open Villica to my mother and her interests; now the main point is to retain it in her interests at any price; but they forget that I am no longer an inexperienced boy. You yourself have opened my eyes, countess, and I shall keep them open even at the risk of incurring your resentment."
Wanda turned deathly pale; her right hand clenched involuntarily the folds of her velvet riding-dress.
"Enough!" she said, making a powerful effort to regain her self-control, "I see that you spurn all reconciliation, and try to offend me so as to render an understanding impossible. Well and good! I accept the proffered enmity."
"You mistake!" rejoined Waldemar, calmly. "I do not proffer you enmity: that would be very ungallant toward--"
"Toward whom?" exclaimed Wanda, with flashing eyes, as he hesitated.
"Toward my brother's affianced bride."
Wanda's whole frame was convulsed. Strange as it may appear, that word stabbed her to the heart. Her eyes involuntarily sought the ground.
"I have hitherto neglected to offer you my congratulations," continued Waldemar; "will you accept them to-day?"