Maraquito laughed in an evil manner. "Won't I?" she taunted. "I just will. Hale will do what I want, and he will have Basil arrested unless you promise to give up this girl and marry me." "Hale will do nothing, neither will you," retorted Cuthbert. "I don't care about threatening a woman, but you must not think that you are able to play fast and loose with me." "How can you hurt me?" asked Maraquito with a scornful smile, although her lips quivered at his tone. "I can tell Jennings that you are Bathsheba Saul!" She turned quite pale. "I? My name is Maraquito Gredos." "It is nothing of the sort. My uncle Lord Caranby came here and recognized you from your likeness to the woman Emilia he was once engaged to. He can state that in court." "Where is his proof?" "Proof will be forthcoming when necessary." "Not to prove that I am Bathsheba Saul. I know nothing of the name." Cuthbert shrugged his shoulders. He had said what was necessary and, unwilling to speak further, prepared to go. Maraquito saw him slipping from her grasp. Once gone, she knew he would never come back. With a cry of despair she stretched out her hands. "Cuthbert, do not leave me!" she cried in anguish. "I must leave you. I was foolish to come. But you know now, that if you move in this matter I can move too. I doubt very much, madam, if your past life will bear looking into." "You coward!" she moaned. "I know I am a coward," said Mallow uncomfortably; "it is not my way to threaten a woman--I said that before. But I love Juliet so much that at any cost I must protect her." "And my love counts for nothing." "I am sorry, Maraquito, but I cannot respond. A man's heart is not his own to give." "Nor a woman's," she moaned bitterly; "oh, heaven, how I suffer. Help!" Cuthbert heard footsteps ascending the stairs--the light footsteps of a hasty man. But Maraquito's head had fallen back, her face was as white as snow and her mouth was twisted in an expression of anguish. She seemed to be on the point of death, and moved by her pain--for she really appeared to be suffering, he sprang forward to catch her in his arms. Had he not done so she would have fallen from the sofa. But hardly had he seized her form when she flung her arms round his neck and pressed her mouth to his. Then she threw back her head, not now white, but flushed with color and triumph. "I have you now," she said breathlessly. "I love you--I love you--I will not let you go!" What Cuthbert would have done it is hard to say. Apparently Maraquito was determined to hold him there. But at this moment Jennings appeared at the door. On seeing him arrive so unexpectedly, Maraquito uttered a cry of rage and dismay, and released Mallow. "Send him away--send him away!" she cried, pointing to Jennings, who looked cold and stern. "How dare he come here." "I come on an unpleasant errand," said Jennings, stepping forward. "I want you, Mallow!"