CHAPTER XV
A FATHER’S THREAT
“Ah! Mr. Wayne!” with a peculiar emphasis upon his name that somehow startled Earle. “Quite an interesting occasion. Pray, Miss Dalton, are you in the habit of entertaining your callers in this extremely—ah—amazing manner?” he demanded, with a cold sneer.
Editha’s fair face flushed with mingled shame and indignation at his coarseness, while Earle’s eyes flashed dangerously at his almost insulting manner to his betrothed.
“Papa, Mr. Wayne sails for Europe to-morrow,” Editha said, to divert his attention, and hoping thus to tide over a scene until Earle should be out of the way.
“Ah, indeed? I am happy to hear it—extremely happy to hear it,” with a satirical bow to Earle, yet with a start of surprise and a searching glance into the young man’s face; “and I presume he was taking a friendly leave of you, my dear; quite interesting—quite affecting—ah! quite.”
It is impossible to describe the malice and satire contained in his words, or the evil expression on Mr. Dalton’s face, as his eyes restlessly searched first one countenance and then the other of the lovers before him.
“No, sir!” Earle replied, rising, and pale to ghastliness with the effort he made at self-control at this insulting language and manner. “I was not taking leave of Miss Dalton, and, since I do not approve of concealments or secret engagements, I will state that she has just consented to do me the honor to become my wife at some future time.”
The young man stood proudly erect, confronting his enemy, and still holding one of Editha’s hands, as he made this bold statement.
“Do you dare stand there and tell me this?” Mr. Dalton hissed, with strange malignity.
“And why should I not dare, sir?” Earle asked, with forced respect, remembering that he was speaking to Editha’s father.