"
"Perhaps I am. But he is so foolish, and he doesn't like me.
I believe he puts you against me, Juliet."
The girl threw her arms round his neck. "Nothing in the world
would ever put me against you, Cuthbert," she whispered
vehemently. "I love you--I love you--with all my heart
and soul, with every fibre of my being do I love you. I don't
care what mother says, I love you."
"Well, then," said Cuthbert, between kisses, "since you are
now rich and your own mistress--not that I care about the
money--why not marry me at once?"
Juliet drew back, and her eyes dilated with fear. "I dare not--
I dare not," she whispered. "You don't know what you ask."
"Yes I do. Juliet, what is all this mystery about? I could
not understand the meaning of your letter."
"Did you do what I asked?" she panted.
"It was too late. I had told Jennings the detective all I
knew."
"You were not afraid?"
"Afraid!" echoed Cuthbert, opening his eyes. "What do you
mean?"
She looked into his eyes. "No," she said to herself, "he is
not afraid."
Cuthbert lost his temper. "I don't understand all this," he
declared, "if you would only speak out. But I can guess why
you wish me to stop the proceedings--you fear for Basil!"
She stepped back a pace. "For Basil?"
"Yes. From what he hinted the other day I believe he was
about this place on the night of the--"
"Where are your proofs?" she gasped, recoiling.
"I have none.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116