That morning he had braced his nerves with several draughts of brandy,
and the fumes yet affected him, thus rendering him extremely
imprudent, to say the least.
"Nell, Jule tells me you had company when I came. Who was it?"
"A gentleman."
"Aye, but his name?"
The man's eyes glittered, and seemed to pierce with their keenness to
the soul of the girl who sat in front of him. She could smell his
breath, too, and the fact that he had been drinking made her a little
nervous.
She was anxious for him to depart.
"He is not one of your acquaintances," replied Nell, evasively.
"But one of yours, it seems," sneered the man, in a tone that was the
least bit disrespectful.
"Mr. Elliston, did you come here to insult me?"
"Certainly not," he answered in a gentler tone. "Forgive me, Nellie; I
can't abide having another win the affections of one I so much covet.
If you only knew, Nell----"
"Mr. Elliston, don't."
Both came to their feet.
He advanced and seized her hands once more; nay, he suddenly flung one
arm about her slender waist and drew her closely, at the same time
imprinting a kiss on her cheek.
"I love you, Nell, and will not give you up. Fly with me, darling,
where no odious friends may come between us!"
"Villain, release me!"
Nell struggled with desperate energy, but she was as a child in the
hands of the tall scoundrel.
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