It only wanted that to complete his madness. He was about to cast himself beside her when a pain, vicious and sharp as the stab of a red hot needle struck him just above his right instep.
CHAPTER V
When Richard Pinckney came down to breakfast that morning, he found Miss Pinckney seated at the table reading letters.
“Phyl went out early and has not come back yet,” said she putting the letters aside and pouring out the tea.
“Gone out,” said he. “Where can she have gone to?”
Miss Pinckney did not seem to hear the question. She was not thinking of Phyl or her whereabouts. Richard’s engagement to Frances Rhett was still dominating her mind, casting a shadow upon everything. It was like a death in the family.
“I hope she’s not bothered about what happened last night,” went on Richard. “I didn’t tell you at the time, but I had—some words with Silas Grangerson, and—Phyl was there. Silas is a fool, but it’s just as well the thing happened for it has brought matters to a head. I want to tell you something—I’m not engaged to Frances Rhett.”
“Not engaged?”