A short distance farther along the cliff road Chris came suddenly upon a figure in deep mourning, and he stopped short, with his whole manner changing once more.
Ah, Mrs Woodham, he said, in a low voice full of commiseration, I have not been up to the quarry, but I had not forgotten an old friend. Can I be of any service to you?
The woman shook her head.
Dont do that, he said kindly. They will not
of incredulity, threatening and contempt.
Yes; I am weak from illness, or Id ask no mans help. You are young and strong. Take him by the collar, and bundle the insolent scoundrel neck and crop out of the place. Thats right: quick!
Glyddyr advanced straight to where Chris stood, with a blank look of rage and despair upon his countenance, crushed, drooping, half broken-hearted, as he felt how ingenuous he had been to speak as he had to the hard, grasping man of the world before him; but as Glyddyr laid his hand upon his collar, he uttered a low, hoarse sound, like the growl of an angry beast.
Now, sir, out you go, cried Glyddyr, with a mocking, sneering look in his countenance, full of triumph. Out with you before you are kicked out.
Take away your hand, said Chris, in a low, husky whisper.
What! No insolence. Out with you!
Take away your hand.
Do you hear me? Now then, out.
Curse you, you will have it, then, cried Chris, shaking himself free; and then, as Glyddyr recovered himself, and tried to seize him again, Chriss left fist darted out from his shoulder, there was a low, dull sound, and Glyddyr staggered back for a couple of yards, to fall with a heavy crash, just as, with a shriek of horror, Claude, closely followed by Mary, rushed into the room.
Chris Lisle, what have you done? cried Claude, while Mary, whom fate had made the busy help of the family, hurried to Glyddyrs side, and helped him to rise to a sitting position. He did not attempt to get upon his feet.
Lost my temper, I suppose, said Chris, who began to calm down as he saw the effect of his blow. But it was his own doing. I warned him to keep his hands off.
Leave my house, ruffian, before I send for the police.
Youll be sorry for all this, Mr Gartram, said Chris. Claude
Silence! shouted Gartram. Recollect, my girl, that henceforth this man and we are strangers. Everything between us is at an end. Once more, sir, will you leave my house?
Yes, Ill go, replied Chris slowly, as his eyes rested on Claudes. Dont think ill of me, he said to her huskily. I have done nothing wrong.
Gartram came between them, and, feeling that time alone could heal the terrible breach, Chris made a gesticulation and walked slowly to the door, where he turned.
Mr Gartram, he said, youll bitterly repent this. But dont think that I shall give up. Ill go now. One of these days, when you have thought all over, you will ask me to come back, and we shall be friends again. Claude Mary, all this was not my seeking. Good-bye.
Not his seeking! cried Gartram, sinking into a chair and dabbing his face with his handkerchief. He wants to kill me: thats what hes trying to do. How are you now, Glyddyr? Pray forgive me for bringing this upon you. The scoundrel must be mad.
Getting better now, sir, said Glyddyr; and, as his enemy had gone, beginning with a great show of suffering and effort to suppress it, as his eyes sought sympathy from Claude. He found none, so directed his eyes at Mary, who offered him her hand as he made slowly for the nearest easy chair. I suppose I was a bit stunned. Not hurt much, I think.
I dont know how to apologise enough, cried Gartram; and you two girls, have you nothing to say? An outrageous assault on my guest! But he shall smart for it. Ill have him summoned.
No, no, Mr Gartram, Im getting all right fast, said Glyddyr, quickly seizing the opportunity to be magnanimous in Claudes eyes. Mr Lisle was excited, and he struck me. A blow like that is nothing.
Mr Christopher Lisle will find out that a blow such as youve received means a great deal more than he thinks, sir. Claude, ring the bell. Have the spirit stand and soda-water brought in. Are you sure you are not seriously hurt, Glyddyr?
Quite, sir: a mere nothing. Great pity it happened. Why, ladies, it must have regularly startled you. Miss Gartram, I am very sorry. You look pale.
Enough to startle any woman, Glyddyr. But there, its all over for the present. You had better leave us now, girls.
No, no, cried Glyddyr, dont let me drive them away, sir.
It is not driving them away, Mr Glyddyr, said Gartram shortly. I wish them to go.
I beg pardon, I am sure.
Granted, sir; but I like to be master in my own house.
Papa, dear, pray, pray be calm, whispered Claude, who had crept to his side.
Calm! Of course. I am calm. There, there, there; dont talk to me, but go, and I said ring for the spirit stand.
Yes, papa, I did. Ill go and send it in.
Yes, quickly. You are sure you would not like the doctor fetched, Glyddyr?
Oh, certain, sir. There, let it pass now. A mere nothing.
an easy chair, while, feeling that she was better away, Mary Dillon crept softly out of the room.