The porter meanwhile stood bewildered, with the gate only partly open, holding it in this way, and waiting for the end of this singular scene.
“Miss Dalton,” cried Mowbray, fiercely, “you will make me resort to extreme measures.”
“You dare not!” cried Edith, who by this time was fearfully excited. She had a horse beneath her now. That horse seemed part of herself. In that horse's strength and speed she lost her own weakness, and so she was now resolved to stake every thing on one effort for liberty.
“Don't force me to it,” said Mowbray, “or you will make me do something that I shall be sorry for.”
“You dare not!” cried Edith again. “Do you dare to threaten me—me, the mistress of Dalton Hall?”
“Catch hold of her reins, captain,” cried the porter, “and make her go back.”
“Hold your bloody tongue!” roared Mowbray.—“Miss Dalton, you must go back.”
“Never!” said Edith. “I will go out when you do.”
“Then I will not go out at all. I will go back to the Hall.”
“You shall not enter it,” said Edith, as firmly as though she possessed the keys of Dalton Hall.