"I saw Hale enter a cab as I came up the stairs," said Basil, drawing back; "and even had I not seen him I would know that he has been telling you a lot of lies because you refuse to shake hands."
"Are they lies?"
"Ah, then, he has been talking. He is my enemy. He comes here to do me harm," said Basil, his eyes flashing.
"He came here as your friend," replied Mallow abruptly, "Hale wishes me to marry your sister. He offers to hand over to me a certain check if I marry her."
"I don't know what you are talking about," cried Basil petulantly, and threw himself into a chair, very pale.
"I think you know very well. Why have you come here?"
Basil looked sullen. "I want you to marry Juliet also. And I came to say that I thought I could get my mother to take that money and to withdraw her opposition."
"So that you may have the fingering of the money?"
"Oh, I suppose she will give me some," said Basil airily, and began to roll a cigarette with deft fingers.
Mallow was enraged at this coolness. "Basil, you are a scoundrel!"