"I know all I want to know," he said, bitterly; "that the sister I have trusted and believed in has been cruelly deceiving me--that one I trusted to be sweet and true and innocent has been acting a part that would disgrace one of the village wenches, for to be seen even talking to that young scoundrel under such circumstances would rob her of her character. And this is my sister! Now, lie still. I must bandage this hurt." "Oh, Pierce, dear Pierce! You are hurting me more than I can bear," she sobbed; for he had gone down on one knee as he spoke, and began manipulating the injured joint. "I can not help it; you must bear it. I shall not be long." "I--I don't mean that, dear; I can bear that," she moaned. "It is your cruel words that hurt me so. How can you say such things to me?" "Be silent, I tell you. I can only attend to this. If it is neglected, you may be lame for life." "Very well," she said, with a passionate cry; "let me be lame for life-- let me die of it if you like, but you must, you shall listen to me, dear." "I will not listen to you now--I will not at any time. You have killed my faith in you, and I can never believe or trust in you again." "But you shall listen to me," she cried; and with an effort that gave her the most acute pain, she drew herself up and embraced her knees. "You shall not touch me again until you listen to me. There!" "Don't behave like a madwoman," he said, sternly. "Lie back in your place; you are injuring yourself more by your folly." "It is not folly," she cried; "I will not be misjudged like this by my own brother. Pierce, Pierce, I am not the wicked girl you think." "I am glad of it," he said, coldly; "even if you are lost to shame." "Shame upon you, to say such words to me." "Perhaps I was deceived in thinking I found you there to-night with your lover." "My lover!" she cried, hysterically. "Now, will you lie down quietly, and let me bandage your ankle, or must I stupefy you with chloroform?" "You shall do nothing until you have listened to me," she cried, wildly. "He is not my lover. I never had a lover, Pierce. I went there to-night to tell him to go away, for I was afraid for you to meet him. I shivered with dread, you were so wild and strange." "Were you afraid I should kill him," he said, with an angry glare in his eyes. "Yes, or that he might kill you. Pierce, dear, if I have deceived you, it was because I loved you, and I was fighting your fight." Indeed! he said, bitterly. "He has been watching for me, and coming here constantly ever since we came to the house. I couldn't go down the village, or for a walk without his meeting me. He has made my life hateful to me." "And you could not appeal to your brother for help and protection?" "I was going to, dear, but matters happened so that I determined to be silent. No, no, don't touch me till you have heard all. I found how you loved poor Kate." "Will you be silent!" he raged out.