"How, may I ask, how is my--, how is Florence--she looked ill; I trust nothing serious?" said Jameson, sinking into his chair, and goaded to say something by the keen gaze which Mr. Hurst had turned upon him.
"Never again take that name into your lips," said the outraged father--and his stern voice shook with concentrated passion. "If you but breath it in a whisper to your own base heart alone, I will cast aside all, and punish you even to the extremity of the law."
The young ingrate drew back with a start, and looked toward the door, for the terrible passion which he had lighted in that lofty man now broke forth in voice, look and gesture; the wretch was appalled by it.
"Sit still, sir, and hear what I have to say."
"I will--I listen, Mr. Hurst, but do be more composed. I did not mean to offend you in asking after--"
"Young man, beware!" Mr. Hurst had in some degree mastered himself, but the huskiness of his voice, the vivid gleam of his eyes, gave warning that the fire within him though smothered was not quenched.
"I am silent, sir," cried the wretch, completely cowed by the strong will of his antagonist.
"I know all--all, and have but few words to cast upon a thing so vile as you have become. If I submit to your presence for a moment it is because that agony must be endured in order that I may cast you from me at once, like the viper that had stung me."
"Sir, these are hard words," faltered Jameson; but Mr. Hurst lifted his hand sharply, and went on.
"You want money. How much did you expect to obtain from me?"
"I--I--this is too abrupt, Mr. Hurst, you impute motives--"
"I say, sir," cried the merchant, sternly interrupting the stammered attempt at defense, "I say you have done this for money--impunity for your crime first, and then money. You see I know you thoroughly."
The wretch shrunk from the withering smile that swept over that white face; he looked the thing he was--a worthless, miserable coward, with all the natural audacity of his character dashed aside by the strong will of the man he had wronged.
"You are too much excited, Mr. Hurst, I will call some other time," he faltered out.
"Now--now, sir, I give you impunity! I will give you money. Say, how much will release me from the infamy of your presence; I will pay well, sir, as I would the physician who drives a pestilence from my hearth?"