"What the devil have you come to meet me for?" he said. "You've come to meet a madman. Turn back and go home, or it will be the worse for you." "I don't understand you," said Awdrey. Frere put a tremendous restraint upon himself. "Look here," he said, "I don't want to injure you, upon my soul I don't, but there's a devil in me to-night, and you had better go home without any more words." "I shall certainly do nothing of the kind," answered Awdrey. "The plain is as open to me as to you. If you dislike me take your own path." "My path is right across where you are standing," said Frere. "Well, step aside and leave me alone!" It was so dark the men only appeared as shadows one to the other. Their voices, each of them growing hot and passionate, seemed scarcely to belong to themselves. Frere came a step nearer to Awdrey. "You shall have it," he cried. "By the heaven above, I don't want to spare you. Let me tell you what I think of you." "Sir," said Awdrey, "I don't wish to have anything to do with you--leave me, go about your business." "I will after I've told you a bit of my mind. You're a confounded sneak--you're a liar--you're no gentleman. Shall I tell you why you interfered between me and my girl to-night--because you want her for yourself!" This sudden accusation so astounded Awdrey that he did not even reply. He came to the conclusion that Frere was really mad. "You forget yourself," he said, after a long pause. "I excuse you, of course, I don't even know what you are talking about!" "Yes, you do, you black-hearted scoundrel. You interfered between Hetty Armitage and me because you want her yourself--she told me so much to-night!" "She told you!--it's you who lie." "She told me--so much for your pretended virtue. Get out of the way, or I'll strike you to the earth, you dog!" Frere's wild passion prevented Awdrey's rising. The accusation made against him was so preposterous that it did not even rouse his anger. "I'm sorry for you," he said after a pause, "you labor under a complete misapprehension. I wish to protect Hetty Armitage as I would any other honest girl. Keep out of my path now, sir, I wish to continue my walk." "By Heaven, that you never shall." Frere uttered a wild, maniacal scream. The next instant he had closed with Awdrey, and raising a heavy cane which he carried, aimed it full at the young Squire's head. "I could kill you, you brute, you scoundrel, you low, base seducer," he shouted.