As he left her side, Juliette approached eagerly, and inquired what Norman had said. Mrs. Ives repeated it, and added, with a chuckle of triumph:
“He did not believe me, but he dared not say so.”
“Have you written to the Wyldes, mamma?”
“Yes; and colored the whole affair as highly as possible.”
“You do not believe they will allow him to marry that upstart girl?”
“No, indeed; for I have given her a fine character, you may be sure,” replied the heartless woman complacently.
“I should die of spite if he married her,” cried Juliette jealously.
“He will not marry her, my dear, for I am determined to thwart her, if possible. I have poisoned the minds of all her relations against him, and they will be sure to keep him at a distance. Besides, you said yourself that she was angry with him, and declared she would never speak to him again.”
“Yes; but if he had a chance to explain——”
“They will have no chance to explain. Their relations will keep them apart,” interrupted her mother firmly.