"I don't believe it."
"Ask him," repeated Mrs. Dallas.
"Nor I," said Isabella. "The major is a kind man, and he wants to see me happy. He is--"
"That is enough," interrupted Mrs. Dallas, rising in a cold fury. "I want no further speeches from you. Go to your room, Isabella. Mr. Alymer, your way lies yonder," and with a swift gesture she pointed to the window.
Resigning himself to the inevitable, Maurice gave one glance at Isabella, and went outside with a heavy heart. Dido was standing upon the veranda with her eyes glowing like two coals. Yet there was an ill-concealed expression of triumph in her gaze, which Maurice, in his then disturbed and angered state of mind, could ill brook. He paused abruptly as he passed by her, and asked a direct question:
"Why do you hate me. Dido?"
The negress glared savagely at him.
"Voodoo!" said she, in a harsh voice.
"What do you mean by that jargon?" he demanded, in angry tones.
"Voodoo!" said Dido again, and showed her teeth in anything but a pleasant fashion.