“Ah, well! possibly not. But have you never heard, my dear young friend, of a person being so hedged in by circumstances that they have been forced to suffer for the mistake or wrong-doing of another? Suppose now—just let us suppose the case—that your father, the late Harold Arleigh, had been guilty of a sin or crime, and that its consequences had recoiled upon the head of your innocent mother, would not she be compelled to suffer from his wrong-doing, yet be herself perfectly guiltless?”
“You are speaking in riddles,” returned Violet, coldly. “I do not understand you, sir. Be good enough to explain. I am certain that Harold Arleigh, my father, was not a criminal. He would never have committed a crime, and then allow my poor mother to suffer the consequences—to be driven to her death, and hounded down to her grave by a man like you!”
An angry scowl disfigured the sallow face of Warrington. He clinched his hands involuntarily, as though he longed to strike the girl down at his feet.
Violet drew back and faced him with flashing, indignant eyes.
“Now, sir”—in a low, level voice—“I demand that you make a full explanation. I wish to know exactly what you mean. I am tired of your hints and insinuations. I will know what sin my father committed and left the shame and suffering for my mother to bear. Thank Heaven, she has escaped its burden—and you!”
“Have a care, Miss Violet Arleigh!” he hissed, vengefully. “I advise you to be careful, and weigh well what you are saying. You may get into serious trouble. I am not the sort of man to stand idly by and allow a woman to insinuate all sorts of crimes against my good name.”
“Your good name!”
Violet said no more, but the silence which followed was significant.
“No, Gilbert Warrington,” the girl’s cold voice broke in upon the pause which followed, “you are not that sort of man! You are capable of waging war against weakness, of leading a crusade against friendless and unprotected women and children. There is no bravery or real courage about you. From the crown of your head to the soles of your feet you are an unmitigated coward!”
“By Heaven!”