She was now entirely self-possessed--neither nervous nor
angry.
The Squire changed his tone. Folding his arms, he leant against a
pedestal which supported a bust of a Roman emperor.
'Very well, then--I _will_ explain. I told you yesterday of a step I
proposed to take by way of testing how far the invasion of personal
freedom had gone in this country. I was perfectly justified in
taking it. I was prepared to suffer for my action. I had thought it
all out. Then _you_ came in--and by _force majeure_ compelled me to
give it all up!'
Elizabeth could not help laughing.
'I never heard any account of an incident which fitted less with the
facts!' she said with vivacity.
'It exactly fits them!' the Squire insisted. 'When I told you what I
meant to do, instead of sympathy--instead of simple acquiescence,
for how the deuce were you responsible!--you threatened to throw up
the work I cannot now possibly accomplish without you--'
'Mr. Levasseur?' suggested Elizabeth.
'Levasseur be hanged!' said the Squire, taking an angry pace up and
down.
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