"Wiggins," said Edith. "I will ask his protection against you."
"Wiggins!" sneered Leon. "Let him try it if he dares."
"Do not interfere with me," said Edith, "nor touch me."
Edith at once walked to the door. Just as she reached it Leon seized her arm. She struggled for a moment to get free, but in vain.
"I know," said she, bitterly, "what a coward you are. This is not the first time that you have laid hands on me. Let me go now, or you shall repent."
"Not the first time, and it won't be the last time!" cried Leon, with an oath.
"Let me go," cried Edith, in a fierce voice, "or I will stab you to the heart!"
As she said this she raised her right hand swiftly and menacingly, and by the dim light of the doorway Leon plainly saw a long keen dagger. In an instant he recoiled from the sight, and dropping her arm, he started back.
"Curse you!" he cried, in an excited voice; "who wants to touch you! It isn't you I've married, but the Hall!"
"Leon," cried Lieutenant Dudleigh, "I will allow no violence. If there is any more, I will betray you."
"You!" cried Leon, with a bitter sneer. "Pooh, you dare not."
"I don't care. After what I've suffered for you these two days past, and especially this night, I have but little care left about myself."
"But won't you get your reward, curse it all!"
"There can be no reward for me now, after this," said the other, in a mournful voice.
"Is that the way you talk to _me_!" said Leon, in a tone of surprise.
"Miss Dalton has been wronged enough," said the other. "If you dare to annoy her further, or to harm a hair of her head, I solemnly declare that I will turn against you."
"Why, you're as bad as I am--in fact, worse."
"Well, at any rate, it shall go no further. That I am resolved on."
"Look out," cried Leon; "don't tempt me too far. I'll remember this, by Heaven! I'll not forget that you have threatened to betray me."
"I don't care. You are a coward, Leon, and you know it. You are afraid of that brave girl. Miss Dalton can take care of herself."
"Miss Dalton! Pooh!--Mrs. Dudleigh, you mean."
"Leon, you drive me to frenzy," cried Lieutenant Dudleigh, in a wild, impatient voice.
"And you--what are you!" cried Leon, morosely. "Are you not always tormenting me? Do you think that I'm going to stand you and your whims forever? Look out! This is more of a marriage than you think."