“Silence, dog!” he cried, in a hoarse whisper. “Have you dared to tell Miss Carr lies about me?”
“I’m not a tell-tale,” I cried scornfully, “and I’m not afraid of you, Mr Lister. I would not tell Miss Carr, but I dare tell you that you are a coward and a scoundrel!”
He raised his fist, and I believe that he would have struck me, but just then his hand fell to his side, and his lips seemed to turn blue as he stared straight over my shoulder, and turning hastily, I saw Miriam Carr standing white and stern in the doorway, dressed ready for the concert.
“Ah, Miriam,” he exclaimed, recovering himself; and he forced a smile to his lips; “Grace and I were engaged in a dispute.”
She did not answer him, but turned to me. “Antony,” she said sternly, “repeat those words you just said.”
“No, no; mere nonsense,” exclaimed John Lister playfully. “It was nothing—nothing at all.”
“Repeat those words, Antony Grace,” cried Miss Carr, without seeming to heed him: and she came towards where I stood, while I felt as if I would gladly have sunk through the floor.
For a few moments I hesitated, then a feeling of strength seemed to come to me, and I looked up at her firmly as I said:
“Don’t ask me, Miss Carr! I cannot tell.”
“Antony!” she exclaimed.