“What sublime trust, to be sure!” she exclaimed. “Violet, you will learn the world better when you have seen more of it. My dear cousin, whatever you do, never trust in a man; they are all false and fickle.”
“Leonard is not.”
“Ah! so you acknowledge that you are in love with Mr. Yorke? Really, Violet, I am surprised, for he has not been in earnest with you, and I have reason to believe that he cares a great deal for me.”
“It is false!” panted Violet, indignantly. “Hilda, I did not think that you could be so cruel to me. Let me pass!”
She fled past the white-robed figure like some wild creature.
Hilda’s dusky eyes followed the flying figure, and a curious brassy light crept into their depths. Glancing up, she saw Leonard Yorke coming swiftly in her direction. A look of passionate love flashed into her eyes, and under her breath she muttered, harshly:
“He is looking for her, but he shall not find her. He shall come with me. I will have him for a little while alone to-night, and I will manage to find out if he cares a little for me. He has always been so kind and gentle; he has been with me almost as much as he has with her; and I don’t see why he can not love me the best. He shall love me! I swear it! Oh, Leonard! Leonard! for your dear sake I would lay my life down! I would barter all my hopes of happiness!”
Leonard Yorke came swiftly to her side. At sight of Hilda standing there alone, he stopped short.
“Why, Miss Hilda, I thought that Miss Arleigh was here,” he exclaimed. “I am sure I saw her speaking with you a few moments ago.”
“To be sure; but she is gone now—gone to walk in the moonlight with Captain Venners. Let us go and find them.”