"And leave me to the chance of widowhood?"
Sir Peter whitened to a deathly hue; his distressed eyes traveled from her to me; he made to speak, but no sound came.
"This is all useless," I said quietly, as a knock came at the door. I stepped back and opened it to Walter Butler.
When he saw me his dark eyes lit up with that yellow glare I knew already. Then he turned, bowing to Lady Coleville and to Sir Peter, who, pale and astounded, stared at the man as though the fiend himself stood there before him.
"Sir Peter," began his enemy, "I have thought——"
But I cut him short with a contemptuous laugh.
"Sir Peter," I said, "Mr. Butler is here to say that he is not wedded to his Tryon County mistress—that is all; and as he therefore has not offended you, there is no reason for you to challenge him. Now, sir, I pray you take Lady Coleville and return. Go, in God's name, Sir Peter, for time spurs me, and I have business here to keep me!"
"Let Sir Peter remain," said Butler coldly. "My quarrel is not with him, nor his with me."
"No," said I gaily, "it is with me, I think."
"Carus," cried Lady Coleville, "I forbid you! What senseless thing is this you seek?"