“It is not true.”
“How can you be so foolish! I tell you I was to bring you along, and you must come now. Hush! don’t talk, but come.”
He caught her hand and drew it through his arm so suddenly that, hesitating between faith and doubt, she made no resistance; and, ready to blame herself now for her want of trust, she was accompanying him towards the door when it was opened quickly, and their way was blocked by Leslie and Uncle Luke.
Pradelle uttered an angry ejaculation, and Louise shrank back speechless, her eyes dilated, her lips apart, and a bewildering sense of confusion robbing her of the power of speech, as she realised to the full her position in the sight of those who had sought her out.
“Then he was right, Leslie,” said Uncle Luke slowly, as he looked from his niece to Pradelle, and back.
“Uncle!” she cried in agony, “what are you thinking?”
“That you are my niece—a woman,” said the old man coldly; “and that this is Mr Pradelle.”
“Uncle, dear uncle, let me explain,” cried Louise wildly, as she shivered at the look of contempt cast upon her by Leslie.
“The situation needs no explanation,” said Uncle Luke coldly.
“Not a bit,” said Pradelle with a half laugh. “Well, gentlemen, what do you want? This lady is under my protection. Please to let us pass.”