Tito's eyes gleamed fiercely in the darkness.
"Methought thou hadst some token from Linda, and that all was well," he said.
"So had I; but now she flouts me, and denies it. She says that Lotta must have given it me. I could have sworn it was Linda; yet in the darkness it is no easy matter to tell one from the other."
"I would not wed Lotta were I in thy place," said Tito, with a short laugh. "She would run a stiletto through thy heart if thou didst anger her, as soon as kiss thee if thou didst please her. She is a veritable shrew when she is angered. Linda is a different sort. A man may lead her anywhere through her affections, or terrify her into submission. It matters little which, so we may win her to our purpose. I had thought that all was going well."
"And so did I, till I spoke with her a week since, and found her as adamant. I thought she was mine own till then; now I know that another has her heart."
Tito gave a short laugh that was somewhat like a snarl.
"We must rid ourselves of that other then."
"So said I," returned Roger promptly. "So told I my pretty fond love—"
"Then thou wert a fool for thy pains," interrupted Tito roughly. "If the man be warned, we shall have trouble with him."
"If the maid be frightened, she may come to her senses," retorted Roger.