“This is my home, father.”
“Good God, home! Do you mean to tell me that, with all you must know about this man, you still want to stay with him?”
“I have no other home.”
“I am offering you one.”
Old Anthony was bewildered and angry. Elinor put out a hand to touch him, but he drew back.
“After he has thrown you downstairs and injured you—”
“How did you hear that?”
“The servant you had here came to see me to-night, Elinor. She said that that blackguard outside there had struck you and you fell down the stairs. If you tell me that's the truth I'll break every bone in his body.”
Sheer terror for Anthony made her breathless.
“But it isn't true,” she said wildly. “You mustn't think that. I fell. I slipped and fell.”