“Was that only the day before yesterday? To me it seems half a lifetime ago,” said Hilary.
“You were not altogether kind to me; in fact, when we got to the Vicarage you followed Colonel Massey’s example, and beat a hasty retreat.”
She made a brave effort to divert him from the subject, observing with a smile: “And I am going to beg you, sir, not to follow the example of Prince Rupert; pray do not push the pursuit any further.”
“Pardon me,” said Norton more gravely, “but I have every intention of carrying it to a successful end. Don’t you understand that I love you?”
“Sir, it is of no use,” she replied. “I cannot listen to your suit. Pray, pray leave me.”
“I will not leave you,” he said, fiercely, “till I clearly understand why you are thus cold and indifferent.”
“Sir, I have no love to give you,” she said, with quiet dignity.
“Never mind that, my love is hot enough to serve for both.”
“I do not want your love,” she said, emphatically.
His eyes gleamed with an anger that made him look devilish.