“Keep your distance, sir! If you presume to come near me, as I live, I will go to my father as soon as I get home, and appeal to him for protection from you!” she said, still holding a firm grip upon the collar of Joshua, who was grimly showing his teeth and growling
| “Full defiance, hate and scorn” |
of the intruder on his mistress’ company.
Now that Mr. Force should hear of Angus Anglesea’s suit to his daughter from herself, and at this stage of the proceedings, was a misfortune that Col. Anglesea would most earnestly have deprecated. So he bowed with mock submission and replied:
“Pardon me, I will say no more. Your mother must be my advocate with you. I must send her to you to plead my cause.”
And with another and a deeper bow he stepped to the side of the path and let the girl and her dog pass on before him.
CHAPTER VIII
IN THE CRUCIBLE
He promptly kept his word. He struck into the woods, made a short detour, and came out again upon the path some yards in front of Odalite and her guardian. Walking rapidly, he arrived at home before her.