But Walter made no attempt to move.
“Before I go,” he said, “I wish to know what are your plans regarding my cousin?”
“And I should like to ask you, sir,” returned the clergyman, “what authority you have for interfering in my private affairs?”
“I have no authority; your private affairs are nothing to me. I speak in the interest of my cousin!”
“Really! I should fancy your interference would be hardly likely to do her much good.” #
“Mr. Santley, I shall ask you one more question. Do you, or do you not, mean to marry my cousin?”
“And if I refuse to answer?”
“I shall make it my duty, before tomorrow night, to expose you.”
“Really!” returned the clergyman, with an exasperating smile. “You will draw your cousin’s good name through the mire in order to throw a little mud at me. I should think, young man, you must be a treasure to your family. Good evening. I will ring for the servant to show you out.”
And he did ring—at the most opportune moment too; for Walter, staggered by that last thrust, perceived that his enemy was on the side of power. So, when in answer to her master’s summons the servant appeared, Walter followed her; he was afraid to utter another word, for Edith’s sake.