His opposition seemed only to anger her. “I know where I have business. I need no admonitions from you as to what places I enter. You are impertinent, insulting. Let me pass!”
His stubborn opposition showed no signs of weakening before her resolve. “One question,” he said, ignoring her angry words. “Have you ever been in these rooms before?”
He thought she quailed the least bit before his searching look. She even hesitated as to what to say. But if her eyes fell momentarily it was only to collect herself. “Yes,” she answered, looking up unflinchingly.
Her resolute eyes supported her defiant word and openly challenged his interference, but he met her once more quietly. “I am sorry to hear 103 it,” he rejoined. “But that won’t make any difference. You can’t go in to-night.”
“I will go in,” she cried.
“No,” he returned slowly, “you are not going in––not, at least, while I am here.”
They stood immovable. He tried to reason her out of her determination. She resented every word he offered. “You are most insolent,” she exclaimed. “You are interfering in something that is no concern of yours. You have no right to act in this outrageous way. If you don’t stand aside I’ll call for help.”
“Nan!” De Spain spoke her name suddenly and threateningly. His words fell fast, and he checked her for an instant with his vehemence. “We met in the Gap a week ago. I said I was telling you the exact truth. Did I do it?”
“I don’t care what you said or what you did–––”
“Answer me,” he said sharply, “did I tell you the truth?”