“Then the matter being settled—for the present let us to the witch, hand in hand like good friends.”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“Leave me, sir!”
“Give me thy hand.”
“Oh—I hate you!” she cried passionately.
“Good!” he nodded placidly. “’Tis better than indifference. Thy hand, Rose.”
For answer she turned away, silently contemptuous, and began to retrace her steps; but he caught her wrist and checked her suddenly, whereupon she struck viciously at him, knocking off his hat, then her other hand was ’prisoned also in so tense a grip that, knowing it vain to struggle, she disdained further effort and faced him, coldly defiant.
“Coward, you hurt me!”
“Madam, you behave like a peevish hoyden! Such tricks may pass with your hysterical fine ladies but, while in Sussex, I suggest you ape the dignified calm o’ Rusticity.”