“You deserve a horsewhip!” cried Mrs. Hartley. “And if my husband were here, you'd have it!”
“Dare you say to my face that you have not several times annoyed me in the street?” asked Rose. “Do you deny writing those shameful letters to me?”
“I should not have written them if you had not given me encouragement!” he rejoined.
“It is false!” cried Rose. “I have never given you any encouragement. I detest you!”
“We do not believe a word he says, Rose!” cried Mildred, in accents of scorn and indignation. “Let him go, Mr. Netterville. The presence of such a creature is disagreeable to us!”
“Begone!” cried Netterville, releasing him, in obedience to the injunction. “Begone, I say, double-convicted liar and coward!”
And as Romney departed, he kicked him through the open door into the street.
The crestfallen blackleg stood for a moment before the house, as if about to return; but he had not the courage to face Netterville, and sneaked off.
“I think you have now got rid of him, Rose!” said Netterville, as he returned to the parlour.
“Yes; he won't trouble, her again, I'm sure!” cried Emmeline. “You have served him quite right!”