He spoke in a low voice, but with great distinctness. Susie was astounded. An abject apology was the last thing she expected.
He paused for Margaret’s answer. But she could not bear to look at him. When she spoke, her words were scarcely audible. She did not know why his request to be forgiven made him seem more detestable.
“I think, if you don’t mind, you had better go away.”
Haddo bowed slightly. He looked at Burdon.
“I wish to tell you that I bear no malice for what you did. I recognize the justice of your anger.”
Arthur did not answer at all. Haddo hesitated a moment, while his eyes rested on them quietly. To Susie it seemed that they flickered with the shadow of a smile. She watched him with bewildered astonishment.
He reached for his hat, bowed again, and went.
Chapter VIII
Susie could not persuade herself that Haddo’s regret was sincere. The humility of it aroused her suspicion. She could not get out of her mind the ugly slyness of that smile which succeeded on his face the first passionate look of deadly hatred. Her fancy suggested various dark means whereby Oliver Haddo might take vengeance on his enemy, and she was at pains to warn Arthur. But he only laughed.
“The man’s a funk,” he said. “Do you think if he’d had anything in him at all he would have let me kick him without trying to defend himself?”