"Van Dam's work!" shrieked Edith, "and he's with Zell! So this is a conspiracy. You both are the flower of chivalry," and her mocking, half-hysterical laugh curdled Gus's blood, as her dress fluttered down the path that led to the arbor.
She appeared in the doorway like a sudden, supernatural vision, Zell's head rested on Mr. Van Dam's shoulder, and he was portraying in low, ardent tones the pleasures of city life, which would be hers as his wife.
"It is true," he had said, "our marriage must be secret for the present. You must learn to trust me. But the time will soon come when I can acknowledge you as my peerless bride."
Foolish little Zell was too eager to escape present miseries to be nice and critical as to the conditions, and too much in love, too young and unsuspecting, to doubt the man who had petted her from a child. She agreed to do anything he thought best.
Then Edith's entrance and terrible words broke her pretty dream in fragments.
Snatching her sister from Van Dam's embrace, she cried passionately:
"Leave this place. Your villany is discovered."
"Really, Miss Edith"—began Van Dam with a poor show of dignity.
"Leave instantly!" cried Edith imperiously. "Do you wish me to strike you?"
"Edith, are you mad?" cried Zell.