"Let me shut that window first, there's a good fellow," he returned coolly, "or we shall be blown into the street;" and as Cedric sullenly let him go, he fastened it and drew down the blind and turned up the lamp.
Cedric watched him savagely.
Verity might well have suspected that something was seriously amiss.
Cedric's face was pale and his whole aspect disordered, and the strained, fierce look in his blue eyes almost dismayed Malcolm.

There was something aggressive too in his manner that affected him unpleasantly.
"Well, are you going to speak ?" in a defiant voice, "or do you wish to drive me crazy?
What have you done with the girl who is to be my wife to-morrow ?" "Why do you imagine that I have done anything with her ?" returned Malcolm steadily, for he wanted to find out what Cedric really knew.

"I have just come from the Wood House.

Your sisters are in great trouble about this." "You have not taken her there," retorted Cedric, with a sneer, "and I am not in a mood to discuss my sisters.

Herrick, I call this an infernal shame! What right have you to come between a man and his affianced wife?
I will not bear it--you shall make me amends!"-- stammering with passion.