As the clatter of horses' hoofs had fairly died away and Sir Julian
stood just where Cedric had left him, debating with his several ideas,
a soft touch was laid almost tenderly upon his arm; had it been the
soft, slimy trailing of a serpent, 'twould not have so startled
him. He turned suddenly and caught the slender hand, with no fine
affection,--
"I see it all quite plainly, thou art the cruel spider that hath woven
a silken mesh for that innocent child, and thou shalt tell me before
the sands of the hour-glass mark ten moments of time, where has flown
Mistress Penwick,--so speak, speak quickly, Constance!"
His voice and manner brooked no delay, and her ladyship thinking that
even now Katherine was Cantemir's wife, spoke out with a semblance of
injured dignity that melted under Sir Julian's scathing contempt
to silly simpering. The noble character of Sir Julian seemed to
silhouette that of her ladyship in all its ugly blackness.
"She is, I presume, by now, the Countess Cantemir--made so by an Abbe
at the monastery.
Pages:
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262