"
"Then I will marry you."
Dick strode forward, and, catching her by the wrist, swung her away from
Banstead, his face aflame with sudden passion.
"No, by God, you shan't!"
Banstead retreated a few paces, scared out of his life. Mrs. Ware sought
Austin's protecting arm.
"What does all this mean? I don't understand it."
Austin led her to the door. "I'll see nothing unpleasant happens, dear.
You had better go and tell them to keep back dinner yet a few minutes."
His voice and authority soothed her, and she left the room, casting a
terrified glance at Dick, standing threateningly over Lord Banstead, who
had muttered something about Viviette being free to do as she liked.
"She can do what she likes, but, by God! she shan't marry you."
"I'm of age," declared Viviette fiercely. "I marry whom I choose."
"Of course she can," said Banstead. "Are you taking leave of your
senses?"
"How dare you ask a pure girl to marry you?" cried Dick furiously. "You,
who have come straight here from--"
Banstead found some spirit.
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