"You ask me a direct question. I give you a truthful answer."
"Answer me, truly!" rudely exclaimed Aaron Rockharrt, giving way, in his blind egotism, to utter recklessness of assertion, to gross injustice and exaggeration. "What have you done to him, Corona? Tell me that!"
She started violently and looked up quickly; her face was whiter, her eyes wilder than before.
"What—have—you—done to him?" he sternly repeated, looking her full in the deathly face.
"I? Nothing!" she answered, but her voice faltered and her frame shook.
"I believe that you have! You look as if you had! I have seen the devil in you since we brought you home from Europe against your will; especially within the last few days!"
Having hurled upon her this avalanche of abuse, he turned and strode wrathfully up and down the room until he had got off some of his excitement. Then, he came and stood before his granddaughter.
"How long has your husband been missing?" he abruptly inquired.
"Since last night," in a very low tone.
"When did you see him last? Tell me that!"