“I deny that, Miss Brandt! They concern me quite as much, if not more--Captain Pullen is my affianced husband! We are to be married in the spring!” “I don’t believe it!” cried Harriet, starting to her feet. “A woman who would read letters not addressed to her, would say anything! You are _not_ engaged to be married to Captain Pullen!” “Indeed! And on what grounds do you refuse to believe my statement?” “Because he made love to me all the time he was in Heyst! Because he used to kiss me and tell me again and again that I was the only woman who had ever touched his heart! Because he had arranged to follow the Baroness’s party to Brussels, only to be near me, and he would have done so, had _you_ not prevented him!” Her great eyes were blazing with indignation and mortified vanity--her slender hands were clenched--she looked as if she were about to spring upon her rival and tear her to pieces--whilst Miss Leyton sat there, calm and collected--and smiled at her ravings. “You are quite mistaken,” she said after a pause, “I have never mentioned your name to Captain Pullen--I had no idea, until those letters fell into my hands, that he had so far forgotten what he owes to me, as to address you in any terms but those of mere acquaintanceship. But now that I _do_ know, it must of course be put a stop to at once and for ever! It was to tell you so, that I came here this afternoon.” “Put a stop to! Do you imagine that I am going to give up Captain Pullen at your request? You are vastly mistaken!” “But you must--you _shall_!” exclaimed Elinor, getting (for her) quite excited. “He is engaged to marry me, and I will not allow him to keep up any communication with you! My decision is final, and you will be good enough to respect it!” “Your decision is _final_!” cried Harriet in mocking tones. “Oh! indeed, is it? And what about Ralph’s decision? Does that count for nothing? What if Ralph refuses to give me up?” Elinor rose to her feet, trembling with indignation at the other’s boldness. “You shall not call him ‘Ralph’,” she exclaimed. “How dare you speak of a man who is nothing to you, in such familiar terms?” “But _is_ he nothing to me?” retorted Harriet, “and am I nothing to him? We must have that question answered first. Ralph told me to call him by his name, and he calls me Hally. How can you prevent our doing so? He loves me--he has told me so--and I shall write to him as often as I choose--yes! and I will take him from you, if I choose, and keep him into the bargain! What do you say to that?” “I say that you are a bold, brazen girl, not fit for me to associate with, and that I refuse to be contaminated by your presence any longer! Let me go!” She made an effort to gain the door, as she spoke, but Harriet barred her exit.