She had dreamed of luxury so long that the manner came to her naturally. For a moment Fargus was overawed by her sudden stature, then the thought came to him that after all she belonged to him and that he had a right to do as he wished with her.
"Well, that's where you stay!" he cried with that rage which is as closely allied to love as madness to genius. She saw him advance upon her to crush her in his arms. Without giving an inch, she put her hands behind her and looked him frigidly in the eyes. His hands touched her before they fell. She was at once anger and ice; to have continued would have been to embrace a monument. So overcome was he that he remained awkwardly before her, not knowing how to extricate himself.
"Go and sit down," she said coldly, "and let's have an understanding at once!"
He hesitated, with his eyes on the floor, brooding whether to carry it through by violence. She saw and was frightened.
"And let me say at once, Mr. Fargus," she continued hurriedly. "Never attempt again what you tried then! For if you do—I shall know how to protect myself."
The mystery of her threat appalled him. The man in love believes all absurdities. He retreated.
"What furnishing does it need?" he asked sullenly.
"Everything, carpets, curtains, linen, furniture," she said aggressively, now that her moment of danger had passed. "Even to the servant's room nothing is done!"
"Servant!" he cried in terror. "Do you want to ruin me!"