"He followed
that man, he chased him, he was shot at,--that is not what a coward
would do. Addison Blythe is mistaken. Those men are mistaken. He--"
"I hear people downstairs,--and out in the yard. You must obey me,
Alix. You must not see him again tonight. God in heaven, what kind
of a spell has he cast upon you? The spell of the devil! Child,
child,--don't you understand? That's what it is. The spell that
makes women helpless! Stay here! I will send Hilda up to you."
"Why do you blame him for everything?" cried the girl hotly. "Doesn't
a woman ever cast this spell you speak of? What defence has a man
against--"
"Do you call yourself an evil woman? Nonsense! Don't talk like
that. I am not blaming him. He can't help himself. He loves you.
That's not his fault. But you do not love him. You are afraid
of him. You would run from him if you could. He must go away. You
must send him away. Tell him of Blythe's letter. Face him with it.
Tomorrow,--not tonight. You are not yourself tonight. Trust me,
dearest Alix. Do as I tell you. Promise."
"I will not come down," said Alix slowly, and Mrs. Strong went out.
She heard the key turn in the door.
CHAPTER XVI
ROSABEL
All night long bands of men scoured the woods and fields, with
lanterns and dogs and guns. Courtney Thane, thrilled by that one
glorious, overpowering moment of contact, sallied forth with the
first of the searchers.
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