“Jealous? Of you?” said Lydia, scornfully.
“No; I am only sorry that he should have been so blind.”
“To your incomparable charms?”
“No; to the character of the beautiful woman—”
“Beautiful?”
“Yes; beautiful woman, whose character—”
“How dare you!” cried Katrine, and she struck the brave girl a sharp blow across the face with her open hand.
“Beautiful as you are corrupt and cruel,” said Lydia, without wincing. “I have not been blind. I have seen your efforts to lead him on—to tempt him into the belief that you loved him, when your sole thought has been of the money that was to be his.”
“It is false,” cried Katrine.
“It is true. I would not stoop to watch you, but I have seen enough to know you. Go back to your companion—the man who plots and plans with you to gain what you will never find, and do not—”