Nicholson saved her life. What do
you mean by saying she is yours?"
"She is to be my wife. Who can have more right to her than I have?"
The two men stared at each other through the semi-darkness. One by one
the lights at the side of the hall were extinguished by the
softly-moving servants. The hushed voices of the departing guests died
away in the distance.
"Your wife!" Stafford repeated slowly. "Since when is that, Travers?"
"Since this afternoon. Let me pass!"
Stafford made no effort to detain him. He stood on one side, and
Travers hurried down the steps. A minute later he was driving his trap
down the avenue at a pace which boded danger for himself and for any
who dared to cross his path.
CHAPTER XVII
FALSE LIGHT
The way to the new Bazaar lay to the right of the mine through a
forest clearing, and was one of Marut's most beautiful roads. Of late,
increased traffic had held the English pleasure-seekers from their
once favorite haunt, and in this early evening hour the bullock wagons
had not as yet begun their journeyings to and from the residential
quarter to the Bazaar, and the road was pleasantly quiet and peaceful.
Hitherto Beatrice had kept her thoroughbred at a constant and
exhausting canter, but here, against her resolution, she pulled up to
a walk and let the cool scented air from the pines blow gently and
caressingly against her hot cheeks.
"This is one of the moments which Fate herself can not take from us,"
she said to her companion.
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