Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/66

Rh him, or doing anything of the kind, that would create a fracas,—ít is not to be thought of. If yon let him see you, all he will do will be to knock you down, and give you into arrest. Beside this, Idalia is in a great measure independent of you; over her wealth you have no legal control, and all moral claim to coerce her you have yourself forfeited. True, you have a hold on her by many things; but that hold could not prevent this beau seigneur of the barren moors from being her lover, if she choose to break her vows for him, especially if she be quite frank with him, and let him know all. Really, on my honour, placed as you are through that terrible impulsiveness which you never will abandon, I do not see how you are to step between Madame de Vassalis and this modern Bothwell, if they choose to play at Love for a little while with each other."

And Vane softly finished his citron, having spoken the most stinging words he could have strung together with the gentle, persuasive accent of a woman coaxing her best friend. Phaulcon swung round and strode up to him as he had done before, his eyes glittering with fire, his face darkly flushed.

"Perdition seize you! if you dare to make a jest of"

"Chut!" said Vane, with the suavest hush that