Laurence looked at me earnestly.
“To get me away.”
“To get you away? Why should he do that?”
Laurence began to speak, but got very red, and stopped.
“He doesn’t like me, Violet, and he doesn’t want me to have you.”
“Oh, indeed you are mistaken, Laurence! He has often praised you.”
“Yes; that is his cunning. But I tell you he would stick at nothing to prevent my marrying you; and as long you are under his roof I shall never know a moment’s peace,” said he excitedly. “He is a bad man—”
“Oh, Laurence, you shouldn’t say that! I know him better than you do, and I know that he is goodness and kindness itself.”
“Violet, you are no wiser than a child. How can you see the way he treats his wife, and yet call him good?”
“His wife! Ah, I know all about that, but—I must not tell you. Indeed he is not cruel to her, as you think, Laurence. I know all about it; I do indeed.”