The Black Moth

"If you have aught to say to me, your Grace, I beg that you will reserveit until to-morrow. I am not in the humour to-night."

He laughed at her.

"Still so cold, child?"

"I am not like to be different, sir."

His eyes glinted.

"You think so? I shall show you that you are wrong, my dear. You mayloathe me, you may love me, but I think you will lose something of thaticy indifference. Allow me to point out to you that there is a couchbehind you."

"I perceive it, sir."

"Then be seated."

"It is not worth the while, sir. I am not staying." He advanced one steptowards her with that in his face that made her sink hurriedly on to thecouch.

He nodded smiling.

"You are wise, Diana."

"Why so free with my name, sir?" This with icy sweetness.

Tracy flung himself down beside her, his arm over the back of the setteeand the fingers of his drooping hand just touching her shoulder. It wasall the girl could do to keep from screaming. She felt trapped andhelpless, and her nerve was in pieces.

"Nay, sweet! An end to this quibbling. Bethink you, is it worth yourwhile to anger me?"

She sat rigid and silent.

"I love you--ay, you shudder. One day you will not do that."

"You call this love, your Grace?" she cried out, between scorn andmisery.

"Something near it," he answered imperturbably.

"God help you then!" she shivered, thinking of one other who had lovedher so differently.

"Belike He will," was the pleasant rejoinder. "But we wander from thepoint. It is this: you shall retire to your chamber at once--er--armedwith the key--an you will swear to marry me to-morrow."

Very white, she made as if to rise. The thin fingers closed over hershoulders, forcing her to remain.

"No, my dear. Sit still."

Her self-control was slipping away from her; she struggled to be free ofthat hateful hand.

"Oh, you brute, you brute! Let me go!"

"When you have given me your answer, sweetheart."

"It is no!" she cried. "A thousand times no!"

"Think...."

"I have thought! I would rather die than wed you!"

"Very possibly. But death will not be your lot, my pretty one," purredthe sinister voice in her ear. "Think carefully before you answer; wereit not better to marry me with all honour than to--"

"You devil!" she panted, and looked wildly round for some means ofescape. The long window was open, she knew, for the curtain blew outinto the room. But his Grace was between it and her.