“Rex!” cried Pluma, starting to her feet, “you know not what you say––surely you do not know! I would have warned you, but you would not listen. I saw you drifting toward a yawning chasm; I stretched out my arms to save you, but you would not heed me. You are a stranger to the people around here, Rex, or they would have warned you. Sin is never so alluring as in the guise of a beautiful woman. It is not too late yet. Forget Daisy Brooks; she is not a fit companion for noble Rex Lyon, or pure enough to kiss an honest man’s lips.”
“For God’s sake, Miss Hurlhurst, what do you mean?” cried Rex, slowly rising from his seat and facing her, pale as death. “In Heaven’s name, explain the accusations you have just uttered, or I shall go mad! If a man had uttered those words, I would have––”
The words died away on his lips; he remembered he was talking to a woman. Rex’s eyes fairly glowed with rage as he turned on his heel and strode rapidly up and down the room.
“Rex,” said Pluma, softly advancing a step toward him, “it always grieves a true woman to admit the error of a fallen sister––they would shield her if such a thing were possible.”
“I do not believe it,” retorted Rex, impetuously. “Women seem to take a keen delight in slandering one another, as far as I can see. But you might as well tell me yonder moon was treacherous and vile as to tell me Daisy Brooks was aught but sweet and pure––you could not force me to believe it.”
“I do not attempt to force you to believe it. I have told you the truth, as a loving sister might have done. None are so blind as those who will not see,” she said, toying with the jewels upon her white fingers.
“Daisy Brooks is as pure as yonder lily,” cried Rex, “and I love her as I love my soul!”
His quivering, impassioned voice thrilled Pluma to her heart’s core, and she felt a keen regret that this wealth of love was withheld from her own hungry heart. Rex had never appeared 53 so noble, so handsome, so well worth winning, in her eyes, as at that moment.
“I am sorry for you, Rex,” sobbed Pluma, artfully burying her face in her lace kerchief, “because she can never return your love; she does not love you, Rex.”
“Yes, she does love me,” cried Rex. “I have settled it beyond a doubt.”