"I am well aware of that fact," she said in a calm tone of quiet firmness, as she turned and faced him. "Nevertheless, I believe I am the one, and the only one you will see; and it is well, for I have something of importance to say."
"Gone for a drive, and all the other ladies with her; Mr. Dinsmore also. The last of the guests left an hour since, and we may chat for a good while without much fear of interruption."
"Suppose I don't choose," he returned, straightening himself with a defiant air.
"Harry, you must hear me!" she said, laying a detaining hand upon his arm, for he was moving toward the door.
"That's a strong word, and one you've no right to use to me," he answered moodily, yet yielding to her determined will.
Tears sprang to her eyes, but she forced them back.
"Are you mad, Harry, that you venture a return to this country?" she asked in an undertone, her voice trembling with excitement, "can you have forgotten the danger that hangs over you?"
"It's trifling, considering the changes five years have made," he said, with affected nonchalance; but his cheek paled.
"Don't deceive yourself, don't trust to that; I recognized you at the first glance," she said, with the earnestness of one determined to convince.
"Well, one of my own family would, of course, be more apt to do so than any one else. And I was never known in this part of the country."
"No; but people travel about a great deal; Northerners come South frequently; especially in winter; and you may, any day, come face to face with some old acquaintance who will recognize you, and have you arrested; and then--" she hid her face and shuddered. "O Harry," she cried, "I shall live in terror till I know you are safe on the other side of the ocean."
"I'll go in all haste when I have secured my prize," he said coldly.
"Give it up," she entreated, "you have no right to drag an innocent girl down to infamy with you. Better go and make an honest living by the labor of your hands."
"I wasn't brought up to that, and infinitely prefer to live by my wits," he answered, with an evil smile, "and they'll have to help me to the means to pay my passage to those foreign shores you so highly recommend."
"Sell this: it would surely bring more than enough for that," she said, pointing to the glittering gem on his finger.