The golden head drooped and rested trustfully against his shoulder, and she went on:
“Perhaps, when he sees how determined I am, he may relent and consent to go with us. At all events, I feel that I have no right to ruin both our lives, and yield to an unreasonable command of his.”
Before Earle could reply, Mr. Dalton himself entered the room.
“Ah! quite an affecting tableau,” he said, with a disagreeable sneer; “it seems to be my privilege to—to have the benefit of these interesting scenes.”
His eyes glittered with anger as they rested upon Earle, but he continued, speaking to Editha:
“I must beg pardon for the intrusion; I merely came to say that I want you to be ready to go to Newport next week.”
Editha flushed.
He had never spoken quite so peremptorily to her before; he had been more willing to consult her convenience and pleasure, more especially since he had in a measure been dependent upon her income to supply his own wants.
She had seen, too, the look of malignant hatred which he had cast upon Earle, and her spirit arose in rebellion against it.
She had quietly withdrawn from her lover’s embrace when the door opened, but remained standing by his side.