‘I know more about him than you can tell me, Captain Norris! I know that his father was French and his mother a Spanish Creole. But it makes no difference to me. If he were all black, he is the man I love, and I will not stand by quietly and hear him defamed.’
‘Who defamed him, Miss Fellows? I merely stated the general opinion as to De Courcelles’ chances of winning Miss Courtney, though whether he succeeds or not is a matter of the most perfect indifference to me. But with regard to yourself, it is a different matter. I may be strong enough to bear my own disappointment, but I will not see you throw your happiness away without making an effort to save you. Oh, Liz, my darling,’ cried Hugh Norris, forgetting himself in his anxiety for her, ‘throw this man over, for Heaven’s sake, or you will rue it your whole life long!’
‘Your advice has somewhat lost its effect from what preceded it,’ replied Liz coldly, ‘and I must request you to spare it me in the future, Captain Norris. I also am old enough to know my own mind, and my friends from my enemies. I am very sorry that you came here to-night—still more so that you should have presumed to speak as you have done. I should have liked to keep you as a friend, but you have made that impossible. Please to relieve me of your presence, and let me quit the room until you are gone.’
‘Oh, I will go—sharp enough!’ said Captain Norris, as he rose from his chair and walked towards the door. ‘You shall not ask me to leave you twice, Liz.’
‘Stay!’ cried the girl impetuously. ‘You have forgotten your presents. Take them with you.’
‘Won’t you even keep the poor things I have carried so far for you?’ he asked her humbly.
‘Keep them!’ she echoed scornfully. ‘Keep a reminder always before me of the man who maligned my dearest friend to me? What do you take me for? No! If you have any wish left that I should forget this evening, and the pain you have caused me, take your presents away with you.’
‘You set me a humbling task,’ said Hugh Norris, as he collected his despised gifts and repacked them in their papers. ‘But I will obey you. I would rather throw them into the swamp, than leave them here to annoy you. Only remember, Liz, that I love you, and that when the day comes (as it will come) when your other lover forsakes you, I will prove what I say.’
He went then without another word, though as he turned his eyes towards her for a farewell look, Liz saw a misty light beaming in them, which did not make her feel as triumphant as she thought she should have done to have gained the victory over him.
She was still standing by the table where he had left her, feeling hot and cold by turns, as she pondered over the rumour he had repeated, when a hasty footstep passed over the threshold, and Henri de Courcelles stood before her.