of such an expression?" asked Morley.

"Because I was carried out of myself. I have a strain of negro blood in
me, and at times say more than I mean."

"And your negro blood will make you kill me," cried Daisy, with an
expression of terror. "I am doomed--doomed!"

"Don't be a fool, child," said Morley roughly.

"She is a trifle hysterical," explained Mrs. Morley, comforting the
girl, who was sobbing violently.

"Mr. Morley," said Anne, rising, "I don't know who wrote that letter, or
why it should have been written. Mr. Ware and I are friends, nothing
more. I am not in love with him, nor is he in love with me. He has paid
me no more attention than you have yourself."

"No, that is true enough," replied Morley, "and as Giles is engaged to
Daisy I don't think he is the man to pay marked attention to another
woman."

"Ah! Giles is all right," cried Daisy angrily, "but she has tempted
him."

"I deny that."

"You can deny what you like. It is true, you know it is true."

"Daisy! Daisy!" said Morley persuasively, whereupon she turned on him
like a little fury.

"Don't you defend her. You hate me as much as she does. You are a----"

"Stop!" said Mrs. Morley, very pale. "Hold your tongue, Daisy. My
husband has treated you in the kindest manner. When your father died you
were left penniless. He took you in, and both he and I have treated you
like our own child. Ungrateful girl, how can you speak so of those who
have befriended you?"

"I do. I shall. You all hate me!" cried Daisy passionately. "I never
wanted your help. Giles would have married me long ago but for Mr.
Morley. I had no need to live on your charity. I have a hundred a year
of my own. You brought that horrid woman down to steal Giles from me,
and----"

"Take her away, Elizabeth," said Morley sharply.

"I'll go of my own accord," cried Daisy, retreating from Mrs. Morley;
"and I'll ask Giles to marry me at once, and take me from this horrid
house. You are a cruel and a wicked man, Mr. Morley, and I hate you--I
hate you! As for you"--she turned in a vixenish manner on Anne--"I hope
you will be put in gaol some day. If I die you will be hanged--hanged!"
And with a stamp of her foot she dashed out of the room, banging the
door.

"Hysteria," said Morley, wiping his face, "we must have a doctor to see
her."

"Miss Denham," said the wife, who was weeping at the cruel words of the
girl, "I ask you if Daisy has ever been treated harshly in my house?"