I sprang from the floor, where his blow had sent me; and stood erect before him. It was a pigmy confronting a giant; but my blood was boiling. I had lost all control over myself. "It's a lie!" I cried, shaking my fist at Mr. Jones. "A monstrous falsehood! He knows it is. Theophilus knows it is. I have been falsely accused and unjustly punished; I will remember that blow to my dying day. I will never forget nor forgive it."
"And who cares, my hero, for your impotent rage?" My uncle seized me by my thick curling hair, and turned round my face, hot with passion and streaming with tears of rage, to the gaze of my sneering enemies. "I will make you know, that you are in my house and in my power--and you _shall_ submit to my authority, and the authority of those I choose to place over you."
I struggled desperately in his herculean grasp in order to free myself. He laughed at my impotent rage and then threw me on the floor--and this time, I was quiet enough.
When I recovered my senses, I found myself lying upon the bed in the garret, allotted to my use. My aunt was sitting beside me, bathing my temples with vinegar and water. "Oh, aunt," I sighed, closing my eyes, "I wish I were dead!"
"Hush! Geoffrey. You brought this on yourself. I told you how it would be."
"It was so unjust," I replied with bitterness.
"And you were so rash. You will be wiser another time."
"No need of quoting others, my son, while you suffer such violent passions to master you. Listen to me, my child. I have known your uncle for years--have seen him in his darkest and stormiest moods; and contrived to live peaceably with him. Nay, he respects me more than he does any one else in the world. But I never _opposed his will_. He is not a man to be trifled with--tears and complaints are useless. You cannot touch his heart. He _will_ be obeyed. Left to himself, he may become your friend, and even treat you with a certain degree of kindness and consideration. But if you anger him, he will never forgive, and can be a dreadful enemy. If you love me, Geoffrey, follow my advice and submit to his authority with a good grace."
"I will try not to hate him for your dear sake. I can promise no more!"
I kissed her hand and fell back exhausted on my pillow. My head ached dreadfully from the ill-treatment I had received; and wounded pride made my heart very sore. It was only on her account that I could control the deadly and revengeful feelings I cherished against him. Theophilus and Mr. Jones, I considered beneath contempt.