"Surely you are not surprised?"
"Oh, no! I am not blind!"
"It was an unlucky chance that threw your cousin in his path," said
the doctor composedly.
"Oh, it is merely another link in the chain of fatality which binds
my family to misfortune. She has all the family traits of the
Labords, and you know what they are," cried Cornelia.
He compressed his lips, and a lightning glance shot out from his
eyes; but he stilled the rising tempest, and replied coldly: "Why, then, did you not warn him?"
"Warn him! So I did. But I might as well grasp at the stars yonder
as hope to influence him in this infatuation."
Once more they approached the happy pair, and, leaning forward,
Cornelia said hoarsely: "Eugene, my father is engaged; come home with me."
He looked up, and answered carelessly: "Oh, you are leaving too
early. Can't you entertain yourself a little longer?"
"No, sir."
Her freezing tone startled him, and for the first time he noticed
the haggard face, with its expression of angry scorn. Her eyes were
fixed on Antoinette, who only smiled and looked triumphantly
defiant.
"Are you ill, Cornelia? Of course I will take you home if you really
desire it. Doctor, I must consign Miss Dupres to your care till I
return."
Eugene by no means relished the expression of his sister's
countenance. She bade Dr. Harwell adieu, passed her arm through her
brother's, and they proceeded to their carriage. The ride was short
and silent. On reaching home, Eugene conducted Cornelia into the
house, and was about to return when she said imperiously: "A word with you before you go."
She entered the sitting room, threw her wrappings on a chair, and
began to divest herself of bracelets and necklace. Eugene lighted a
cigar and stood waiting to hear what she might choose to
communicate. Fastening her brilliant black eyes on his face, she
said sneeringly: "Eugene Graham, did you learn dissimulation in the halls of
Heidelberg?"
"What do you mean, Cornelia?"
"Where did you learn to deceive one who believed you pure and
truthful as an archangel? Answer me that." Her whole face was a
glare of burning scorn.
"Insulting insinuations are unworthy of you and beneath my notice,"
he proudly replied.
"Well, then, take the more insulting truth! What crawling serpent of
temptation induced you to tell me you expected to marry Beulah? No
evasion! I will not be put off! Why did you deceive me with a
falsehood I was too stupidly trusting to discover until recently?"