He looked at her for a moment; the offensive smile gradually faded from his face and a bitter look took its place. He saw that his pretensions did not throw her off her guard, so he showed his true colors.
“So you have heard of some of my doings,” laughed he, savagely. “Well, I can’t say that it has affected you greatly.”
“If you mean that your deeds have not frightened me, you are right. I do not fear you, Mark Harwood, and I never shall.”
“Don’t be too sure of that,” sneered he. “Stranger things have happened. This is a nest of rebels, and——”
“Prove it.”
“Your father’s refusal to aid the cause of the king is proof enough.”
“Take care,” said Lucy, bravely. “Do not go too far. Remember that my father has powerful friends in England—friends who will not desert him if he is in need.”
“Do you suppose that I don’t know that? His influence has been all that saved him a dozen times or more. But he is a rebel, and you are a rebel; don’t deny it.”
“I cannot speak for my father,” exclaimed Lucy, “but I can for myself. I love liberty and hate the tyrannies of the king.”
“Brave girl!” exclaimed the concealed Tom, incautiously.