I've heard him pleading with her,--yes, and cursing her, too,--and her voice is always full of horror when she says 'No, no! I will not do it! I cannot!' You see, sir, I always stand here by the door, waiting to be called, so I catch snatches of conversation when their voices are raised.

Besides, she's always as white as a sheet when she comes out, and two or three times she has actually run to her room as if she was afraid he was pursuing her.

I can't help feeling, Mr.Braden, that he considers her a member of the family, and so long as I won't do it, he--" "Good God, Wade! Don't say anything more! I--" His knees suddenly seemed about to give way under him.

He went on in a hoarse whisper: "Why, I--I am a member of the family.

You don't suppose he'll--you don't suppose--" "I just thought I'd tell you, sir," broke in Wade, "so's you might be prepared.