Her voice broke cold and sharp on the stillness. The nightingales had all flown away at the first sound of her angry tones. "Insult you?" cried the culprit, agitatedly; he was too much shocked at the result of his hasty act to speak calmer. "Believe me, Miss West, I meant no insult. I did not think that you would take it so." His words were unfortunate. They irritated Leonora even more. "You did not think so?" she cried, gazing reproachfully at him. "And, pray, sir, what cause had I given you to--to think that your caresses could be agreeable to me?" He stood gazing at her in silence. If he told her the real truth--told her that the face in the Magic Mirror had fooled him with its soft eyes and tender lips, and led him on to the commission of that impulsive act--she would be more angry than ever. She would deny that her own looks had tempted him, made a fool of him. He would not stoop to exculpate himself from the anger of one so manifestly unjust. All the Lancaster pride flushed into his face as he stood looking down at her from his haughty height, his arms folded over his broad breast. "What cause had I given you," she repeated, stamping her little foot angrily on the earth, "to think that your caresses were agreeable to me?" "She is a little shrew!" he said to himself, with sudden anger. "I will never give another thought to her." With that thought he answered, coldly: "If you were like other women, Miss West, I might exculpate myself in your eyes. But as it is, I can only say that I meant no harm, and I humbly crave your pardon." "Like other women!" she flashed, haughtily. "What do you mean, Lord Lancaster? Does the misfortune of my poverty and lowly birth place me beyond the pale of your respectful consideration? Perhaps, were I Lady Adela Eastwood it would be different." "What the deuce does she know about the earl's daughter?" he asked himself, in extreme astonishment; but he answered, eagerly: "Yes, indeed, it would be different, Miss West. I should not look into the Magic Mirror over Lady Adela's shoulder, certainly; nor would I put my arm around her waist, but--" He could not say another word, for she interrupted him, glowing with angry beauty. "So you acknowledge the truth to my very face. For shame, Lord Lancaster! You throw discredit upon your name of gentleman; you make me hate and despise you for those words! No; I will never forgive you as long as I live!" sobbed Leonora, bursting into angry tears; and then she fled away from him in the moonlight, leaving him standing like one dazed by the side of the Magic Mirror. But it was only for a moment that he remained thus motionless. He thought apprehensively. "It was most unwise in Mrs. West to allow her niece to go roaming about alone at this hour. Even upon my grounds she may lose her way, or meet with some unpleasant adventure. I will follow her at a safe distance, and see that she gets back safely to the Hall."