afar and alone; a something quite different from the beast
who spoke, and which felt a mad interest in wondering how she would take
the words.

"You go and sit down over there!"

No clash of steel or dash of icy water could have had the effect those
quiet words had, combined with the immovable calm out of which they
came.

The instinct of frightened womanhood was alive. If she could not down
the beast in the man by unflinching show of courage--she was lost.

They eyed each other for an instant--then Jude backed away and dropped
into the chair across the table.

Still, like animal and tamer they measured each other from the safer
distance. Presently the girl spoke, laying all the blame upon him for
the fright and suffering.

"What right have you, Jude Lauzoon, to come here insulting me?"

"What right had you," he blurted out, "to make me think you was
that--that sort?"

"I didn't make you think it--you thought it because you--wanted to think
it--it was in you."

The beast was quelled now, and a stifled sob rose to the boyish throat.

"I--I didn't want to think it--God knows I didn't, Joyce, it was that
that drove me mad."

"Can a man only think bad when he sees what he doesn't understand?"

Revulsion of feeling was making Joyce desperate. While her new power
brought her a delirious joy, it also, she was beginning to understand,
brought a terror she had never conceived before. She wished the house
were nearer the other human habitations.

"If you're that kind, Jude, you had better take yourself to the Black
Cat; you'll find plenty of your liking down there."

Jude was visibly cowering now.

"Why did he kiss you?" he pleaded.

"Suppose I gave him the right?"

"Then what am I to think? Have you given him the right? Does he want the
right? I mean the right first--and last?" Jude was gaining ground, but
neither he nor the girl to whom he spoke realized it yet. Joyce drew
back.

"What is that to you?" she murmured hanging her head. For the moment she
was safe--but she felt cornered.

Jude again bent toward her over his hands clenched close.

"It means everything," he panted, "and you know it. I've always liked
you best of anything on earth--ever since I went to school, to please
you, over to Hillcrest; ever since I tried to keep from the Black Cat,
because you asked me to. I've gone following after you kinder
heedless-like till--till he gave me a blow twixt the eyes, with his
hand-holding and kissin