“Damn old Jarvis, if he’s been putting any such notions into your head!” cried David. “Why, Barbara, you’re talking nonsense. Didn’t he tell you you could get a release? I’ll buy the fellow off. I told Jarvis I would.”
“You told him?”
“Why, of course, I did. And I mean to. We’ll be married by that time. Now, don’t say no. Just give me a show to prove what ought to need no urging on my part to make you see. If we are married hard and fast there’ll be no back talk coming from Jarvis or anybody else. Can’t you see that, dear? I dare say the fellow is only waiting for a good excuse to demand his money back, and we’ll give it to him. Come, sweetheart, let me put this ring on your dear little finger, and next month I’ll add another of a different sort. Then I’ll be in a position to talk business with old Jarvis, or his client, whoever he is. I’ll say, ‘Here’s your money, sir,’ short and sharp; ‘take it or leave it, as suits you best. My wife doesn’t go out to service with any man.’ That’s my sensible girl!”
He would have drawn her again into his arms. But she resisted him tensely.
“You don’t understand, David, and you must understand,” she said slowly. “I—promised I wouldn’t—till——”
“You promised! Who in the devil did you promise? You promised me, and I’m going to hold you to it.”
“No; not till after I was bound, and I—only promised you conditionally. Don’t you remember, David?”
“I only remember what I choose to remember,” he said superciliously. “And all I know, or care to know, at the present moment, is that you’re mine—mine, Barbara! Haven’t I waited for years and suffered—Barbara!”
His voice vibrated with passion; he reached out for her hungrily, irresistibly, and held her fast in the clasp of one powerful arm, while with the other he sought for her elusive hand.
“One finger is just as good as another for me,” he laughed as he slipped the ring into place. “There! Isn’t that handsome?”