第691章 MISS BERTHA AND THE YANKEE.(25)

"I have no secrets from my aunt," I answered. "Whatever you have to say, Captain Stanwick, may be said here."He opened his lips to reply, and suddenly checked himself. He was controlling his anger by so violent an effort that it turned his ruddy face pale. For the moment he conquered his temper--he addressed himself to me with the outward appearance of respect at least.

"Has that man Varleigh lied?" he asked; "or have you given _him_hopes, too--after what you said to me yesterday?""I said nothing to you yesterday which gives you any right to put that question to me," I rejoined. "You have entirely misunderstood me, if you think so."My aunt attempted to say a few temperate words, in the hope of soothing him. He waved his hand, refusing to listen to her, and advanced closer to me.

"_You_ have misunderstood _me_," he said, "if you think I am a man to be made a plaything of in the hands of a coquette!"My aunt interposed once more, with a resolution which I had not expected from her.