"Father," she said firmly, her face pale as death, "I repeat them. That man standing there is as much your enemy as he is mine!"
Flockart laughed satirically. "Then I will tell my story, and let your father judge whether you are a worthy daughter," he said.
CHAPTER XXXVI
IN WHICH GABRIELLE TELLS A STRANGE STORY
Gabrielle fell back in fear. Her handsome countenance was blanched to the lips. This man intended to speak—to tell the terrible truth—and before her lover too! She clenched her hands and summoned all her courage.
Flockart laughed at her—laughed in triumph. "I think, Gabrielle," he said, "that you should put an end to this deceit towards your poor blind father."
"What do you mean?" cried Walter in a fury, advancing towards Flockart. "What has this question—whatever it is—to do with you? Is it your place to stand between father and daughter?"
"Yes," answered the other in cool defiance, "it is. I am Sir Henry's friend."
"His friend! His enemy!"
"You are not my father's friend, Mr. Flockart," declared the girl, noticing the look of pain upon the afflicted old gentleman's face. "You have all along conspired against him for years, and you are actually conspiring with Lady Heyburn at this moment."