"
He was silent for a little while, gazing at her with the sort of
admiration from which a true woman draws away appalled. He saw how
she loathed him, saw how impossible it was for him to get a line
nearer to her by any turn of force or fortune. Brave, high-
headed, strong as a young leopard, pure and sweet as a rose, she
stood before him fearless, even aggressive, showing him by every
line of her face and form that she felt her infinite superiority
and meant to maintain it. Her whole personal expression told him
he was defeated; therefore he quickly seized upon a suggestion
caught from a transaction with Long-Hair, who had returned a few
hours before from his pursuit of Beverley.
"It pains me, I assure you, Miss Roussillon, to tell you what will
probably grieve you deeply," he presently added; "but I have not
been unaware of your tender interest in Lieutenant Beverley, and
when I had bad news from him, I thought it my duty to inform you."
He paused, feeling with a devil's satisfaction the point of his
statement go home to the girl's heart.
The wind was beginning to blow outside, shaking open the dark
clouds and letting gleams of moonlight flicker on the thinning
fog. A ghostly ray came through a crack between the logs and lit
Alice's face with a pathetic wanness. She moved her lips as if
speaking, but Hamilton heard no sound.
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