He almost snatched at the papers, but I held them out of his reach.

Then with a sharp little cry the woman stood suddenly between us.

There was a look almost of horror on her pale strained face, as she held out her hand as though to push me away.
"Guy, are you mad ?" she cried.
The veins stood out upon my father's forehead.

He regarded her with mingled anger and surprise.
"What do you mean, Maud ?" he exclaimed.

"How dare you interfere?
Guy, give me the papers." "He shall not!" she exclaimed fiercely.