There was a flush on her cheeks, and her
eyes met mine almost defiantly.
"I will go," she said quickly, "but I shall not leave this house while
you remain."
CHAPTER XVI
COMPELLING SPEECH
She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full
purport of her decision. I followed the flutter of her skirt up the
stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the
uselessness of any attempt at influencing her. Even the short space of
our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of
resource, of character, and determination. If she felt it right to
remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine,
her courage would hold steadfast. Even as these considerations flashed
across my mind, I heard the thud of Coombs' feet upon the steps of the
veranda. That he had been drinking I realized at a glance, and it was
equally evident that he planned to overawe me by brutal domineering.
In spite of every effort to control my expression I could not restrain
a smile at the manifest bluster of his approach.
"So yer 've got through eatin', hey," he began coarsely. "Whar 's the
female? Thought I saw her here.
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