"What! our marriage, and all?" he cried, starting up, and speaking in a tone that made Christie start back.
"No; she did not know that. But——"
"You did not dare to tell her?" he said, almost threateningly.
"Oh! why will you speak to me in that tone, dearest Willard? I did not mean to reproach you."
"It is very like it, however," he said bitterly.
"But may I not tell her, Willard? She wanted me to give you up; and I thought she would have killed me because I refused. I fear she may come again; and, indeed, such another interview would kill me! If she knew all, she would desist. Oh, Willard, dearest! will you not tell her—or may I not tell her?"
"Not for the world—not for ten thousand worlds! Would you ruin me, Christie?" he exclaimed, impetuously.
"Ruin you, Willard?" she said, faintly.
"My worldly prospects, I mean. My—oh, the thing is impossible!" he said vehemently. "I will not hear of it for a moment."
"But you promised," she began, in a choking voice.