Page:William Le Queux - The Temptress.djvu/63

48 "Oh! you threaten, do you?"

"Only in the event of your being such an imbecile as to reveal to Hugh the secret."

"Then, I may as well tell you that up to the present he knows nothing. Yet, remember, he and I are old friends, therefore it will be my endeavor to prevent him falling into your accursed toils, as others have," he exclaimed angrily.

"Cursed toils, indeed!" she echoed, with a contemptuous toss of her pretty head. "The idea of a man like you setting himself up as Hugh Trethowen's protector! It's too absurd. I wonder whether you would still be friends were he to know the truth about you, eh?"

"It matters little," he answered sternly. "You'll keep your mouth closed for your own sake."

"What have I to fear, pray ?' she asked impatiently. "It seems you think me a weak, impressionable schoolgirl, who will tremble under your menaces. Why, the worst accusation you can make, is that I have been guilty of that crime so terrible to the eyes of the hypocritical English—unconventionality. Don't you think I could easily disprove your statements, especially to a man who loves me?"

"Loves you!" repeated the artist, with a harsh, derisive laugh. "He wouldn't be guilty of such romantic folly."

"You are mistaken."

"Then I can quickly put an end to his fool's paradise."

"How?" she asked breathlessly.

"I will find the means. If nothing else avails, he shall be made acquainted with the history of La"—

"Hear me!" she interrupted fiercely. "We are both past masters in the art of lying, John Egerton; we