No one believes in your pretended reform.

But I want to warn you to keep away from Miss Merrick, hereafter, or I'll take a hand in your punishment myself." For a moment the two eyed one another savagely.

They were equally matched in physique; but Arthur was right, there was no fight in Mershone; that is, of the knock-down order.

He would fight in his own way, doubtless, and this made him more dangerous than his antagonist supposed.
"What right have you, sir, to speak for Miss Merrick ?" he demanded.
"The best right in the world," replied Arthur.

"She is my promised wife." "Indeed! Since when ?" "That is none of your affair, Mershone.