“But you have thought you did?”
“I was engaged before I came here.”
“And the engagement is broken?”
“We quarrelled.”
Mary French breathed deeply.
“You will forget it here. He can draw the very soul out of your body.”
“He cannot!” flashed Emeline.
“Some one will kill him yet. He is not understood at his best, and he cannot endure defeat of any kind. When you come into the family you must guard him from his enemies as I have constantly guarded him. If you ever let a hair of his head be harmed—then I shall hate you!”
“Mrs. Strang, do you come here to push me too! My uncle's family, everything, all are closing around me! Why don't you help me? I loathe—I loathe; your husband!”
Mary French rose, her smile changing only to express deep tenderness.