"
"You coward!" she moaned.
"I know I am a coward," said Mallow uncomfortably; "it is not
my way to threaten a woman--I said that before. But I love
Juliet so much that at any cost I must protect her."
"And my love counts for nothing."
"I am sorry, Maraquito, but I cannot respond. A man's heart
is not his own to give."
"Nor a woman's," she moaned bitterly; "oh, heaven, how I
suffer. Help!"
Cuthbert heard footsteps ascending the stairs--the light
footsteps of a hasty man. But Maraquito's head had fallen
back, her face was as white as snow and her mouth was twisted
in an expression of anguish. She seemed to be on the point of
death, and moved by her pain--for she really appeared to be
suffering, he sprang forward to catch her in his arms. Had he
not done so she would have fallen from the sofa. But hardly
had he seized her form when she flung her arms round his neck
and pressed her mouth to his. Then she threw back her head,
not now white, but flushed with color and triumph. "I have
you now," she said breathlessly. "I love you--I love you--
I will not let you go!"
What Cuthbert would have done it is hard to say. Apparently
Maraquito was determined to hold him there. But at this
moment Jennings appeared at the door. On seeing him arrive so
unexpectedly, Maraquito uttered a cry of rage and dismay, and
released Mallow. "Send him away--send him away!" she cried,
pointing to Jennings, who looked cold and stern.
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