“I said that when a man pinches a girl’s wrist black and blue, and swears at her—yes, Captain Clyne,” firmly, “you swore at me, and called me——”
“Don’t!” he said.
She was leaning against the side of the window ...
“I only said,” she continued breathlessly, “that when a man does that, the woman either loves him or hates him!”
“Henrietta!”
“Captain Clyne!”
After a long pause, “I think I understand you,” he said slowly, “but if you—if there were any feeling, the least feeling of that kind on your part, you would not have forbidden me to—to think of seeking you for my wife.”
“I didn’t!” she answered. “I told you that you should not pay your court to me. And you shall not! You cannot,” half laughing and half crying, “woo what’s won, can you? If you still think it is worth the winning! Only,” stopping him by a gesture as he came towards her, “you are not to give me over to Mr. Sutton again, whatever I do! You must promise me that.”