"You are mad, Sanetta," he cried, irritably. "You have no occasion for this jealousy and hatred."
"I have had! You know that I have had—and your face shows it!"
"You have none now—absolutely none now!"
His emphatic declaration fell upon Cervera with an effect which Venner did not at first understand.
She sprang quickly toward him, gripping him hard by the wrist, while her every nerve seemed stimulated with sudden agitation.
"None now? None now—now?" she fiercely reiterated, in inquiring whispers. "Do you mean that—that it is done? that it is done?"
"Done?" gasped Venner, amazedly. "Is what done? What the devil are you driving at?"
She drew back, searching his eyes with hers, and hers were like those of a demon, in her momentary suspense.
"Then it isn't—it isn't?" she hissed, through her white teeth. "I thought from what you said that it was. I thought—"
"Good God! what do you mean?" cried Venner, aghast for a moment.