'What has brought her here?' repeated Kainie. 'There is no need to ask that, Mark; the wretched creature is running after you.'
'You must go back,' said the young man.
'Yes, go back—to your dear master,' sneered Kainie.
'I must speak. I must justify myself,' said Zita, with vehemence. 'You wrong me in your thoughts; you wrong me in your words. I am not what you suppose. I am not a bold, bad girl. I do not sell myself for profits. I am in Drownlands' house because I cannot help myself. I have nowhere else whither to go. Why should you and Kainie believe evil of me? Why should'—
'I cannot argue with you,' said Mark. 'This is not the place; this is not the time. I am sorry for you. I can say no more. I thought better of you once.'
'Go, you Cheap Jackess,' said Kainie. 'Unless you had a heart lost to shame, you'd not have come here after Mark at night.'
'You misjudge me in this as in other things,' said Zita, bursting into tears. 'I came here for your good.'
'That's a fine tale,' sneered Kainie. 'We want no good from you, nor do we expect figs of thistles or grapes of thorns.'
Mark said nothing, but stepped from the platform.
'I entreat you to listen to me,' said Zita, catching his arm. 'It is not true that Drownlands has left me everything.'