"No, no. Go now, now!" cried Louise. Leslie drew a deep breath and his heart beat heavily in the agony and despair he felt. She loved this man, this contemptible wretch who had gained such ascendancy over her that she was pleading in his behalf, and trying to screen him from her father's anger. "Mr Leslie. Do you hear me?" she cried, taking courage now in her despair and dread lest her father should return. "Yes," he said coldly, "I hear you, Miss Vine; and it would be better for you to retire, and leave this man with me." "No, no," she cried excitedly. "Mr Leslie! you are intruding here. This is a liberty. I desire you to go." "When Mr Vine comes back," said Leslie sternly. "If I have done wrong, then no apology shall be too humble for me to speak. But till he comes I stay. I have heard too much. I may have been mad in indulging in those vain hopes, but if that is all dead there still remains too much honour and respect for the woman I knew in happier times for me to stand by and let her wrong herself by accompanying this man." "Mr Leslie, you are mistaken." "I am not." "Indeed--indeed!" "Prove it then," he cried, in stern judicial tones. "I am open to conviction. You love this man?" Louise was silent. "He was begging you to accompany him in flight." Louise uttered a low wail. "Hah!" ejaculated Leslie, "I am right." "No, no; it is all a misapprehension," cried Louise excitedly. "Mr Leslie, this--" "Hold your tongue," whispered Harry hoarsely, and she moaned as she writhed in spirit. "There are reasons why my father should not know of this visit." "So I suppose," said Leslie sternly; "and you ask me to be a partner by giving way to a second blow to that true-hearted, trusting man. Louise Vine, is it you who are speaking, or has this man put these cruelly base words in your mouth?" "What can I say? What can I do?" wailed Louise, wringing her hands, as with every sense on the strain she listened for her father's step. Harry, who now that the first shock had passed was rapidly growing more calm and calculating, bent down over his sister, and whispered to her again in French to go quickly, and get her hat and mantle. "He will not dare to stop us," he said. Louise drew a long breath full of pain, for it seemed to be the only way to save her brother. She must go; and, taking a step or two she made for the door. "No," said Leslie calmly, "it is better that you should stay, Miss Vine." Harry was at her side in a moment. "Never mind your hat," he whispered in French; "we must go at once." "Stand back, sir!" cried Leslie, springing to the door. "Your every act shows you to be a base scoundrel. You may not understand my words, but you can understand my action. I am here by this door to keep it till Mr Vine returns. For the lady's sake, let there be no violence."