There was no relenting. The gentlewoman's glance was now not only stern but scornful, as she returned:
"Are you a Sturtevant, and ask me for delay?"
CHAPTER XIII.
BUT—STURTEVANT TO THE RESCUE
All the conflicting emotions which whirled through Montgomery's mind pictured themselves in his face as he confronted the stern old gentlewoman opposite. The silence in the room was unbroken save by the roar of the tempest, and it seemed an age before she asked, coldly:
"Are you afraid?"
But there was no hesitation as he hastily stammered:
"Y-y-yes, gr-gram'ma, I am afraid. So 'fraid I—I—can't hardly think nor feel nothin'. B-b-but—I'm—going!"