“Then you own to it! You have been talking to Maddy?”
“She came and confided in me, and I believe I spoke the truth.”
“Yes, I knew it!” cried Harry warmly. “Then look here, my lady, I’m not blind. I’ve petted you and been the best of brothers, but if you turn against me I shall turn against you.”
“Harry dear!”
“Ah, that startles you, does it! Then I shall tell the truth, and I’ll back up Aunt Margaret through thick and thin.”
“What do you mean?”
“What Aunt Margaret says. That long Scotch copper-miner is no match for you.”
“Harry!”
“And I shall tell him this, if he comes hanging about here where he sees he is not wanted, and stands in the way of a gentleman of good French Huguenot descent, I’ll horsewhip him. There!”
He turned on his heel, and bounded up the old staircase three steps at a time.