'I will have my way. If you send him off, I will never darken your doors again.'
'That is as you please, madam,' replied Preston. 'Mr. Kirke and Frank, pray be seated.'
Stung by her husband's coolness, the lady turned fiercely upon Joe, and, shaking her clenched hand in his face, cried out:
'This is your work. I will teach you better than to meddle with my affairs.'
'Madam, you act well,' said the young man, taking a step toward the door. 'Pray come out to the quarters; poor as they are, every negro will give a bit to see you play.'
In uncontrollable rage, she struck him a smart blow in the face, and rushed from the room.
When she had gone, Preston turned to Mulock:
'Now go. The amount due you I shall retain to offset, in part, what you have tempted the negroes to steal. You can come here once a week—on Sunday—to see Phylly; but if you have any more dealings with the hands, I will prosecute you on the instant.'
Mulock rose, put on his slouched hat, and, a dull fire burning in his cold, snake-like eyes, slowly said: