"Aha, missy," said she, in deep, guttural tones, "you tink ob dat yaller-ha'r'd man!"
"Maurice! Yes, I am thinking about him; and you know why."
Dido's fierce black eyes flashed out a gleam of rage, and she cursed Maurice audibly in some barbaric tongue which Isabella seemed to understand. At all events she interrupted the woman's speech with an imperious gesture.
"No more of that. Dido. You know that I love Maurice; I wish to marry him. Why are you so bitter against him?"
"He take you from me."
"Well, if I marry anyone the same thing will happen," responded Isabella, lightly; "and surely. Dido; you do not want me to remain a spinster all my life."
"No, missy, no. You marry, an' ole Dido am berry pleased. But dat yaller-ha'r'd man, I no like him; if he marry you, he take you away. He a fool--a big fool!"
"Oh, you say that because he does not believe in Obi or Voodoo!"
Dido threw up one dark hand with an ejaculation.
"Not in de sunlight; dose am de names for de darkness, honey. In de night dey--"