ection that I
thought I had for you died a violent death."

She did not notice that the man before her started violently at these
words--but the look of fear in his eyes gave place the next instant to
braggadocio.

He would have answered her, but she held up her little white hand with a
gesture commanding silence, saying, slowly, with quivering lips:

"I repeat, the affection that I believed filled my heart for you died
suddenly when I told you that I had changed my mind about eloping, and
instead of studying my desires you insisted that the arrangement must be
carried out."

"My--my--love for you prompted it, Faynie," he exclaimed, in a maudlin
voice. He knew he had the name wrong, but could not think what it was to
save his life. "Come, now, let's kiss and make up, and love each other
in the same old way, as the song goes."

"What! love a man who thrusts me into a coach despite my entreaties,
takes me to a church, and with a revolver pressed close to my
heart--beneath my cloak--forces me to become his wife! No. No! I loathe,
abhor you--open that door and let me go!"

With an unsteady spring he placed himself between her and the door,
crying angrily as he ground out a fierce imprecation from between his
white teeth. "Come, now, none of that, my beauty. You're my wife all
right, no matter how much of a fuss you make over it. I want to be
agreeable, but you persist in raising the devil in me, and though you
may not know it, I've a deuce of a temper when I'm thoroughly roused to
anger--at least that's what the folks who know me say.

"Sit right down here now, and let's talk the matter over--if you want to
go home to the old gent, why I'm sure I have no objection, providing he
agrees to take your hubby along with you. There'll be a scene of
course--we may expect that--but when you tell him how you love me, and
couldn't live without me and all that--and mind, you put it on heavy--it
will end by his saying: 'Youth is youth, and love goes where it is sent.
I forgive you, my children; come right back to the paternal
roof--consider it yours in fact.' And when the occasion is ripe, you
could suggest that the old gent start your hubby in business. Your wish
would be law; he might demur a trifle at first, but if you stuck well
to your point he'd soon cave in and ask what figure I'd take to--"

"Stop!--stop right where you are, you mercenary wretch!" cried Faynie in
a ringing voice. "I see it all now--as clear as day. You-