"Who are you?
What the devil are you skulking about out here for ?" It was Grant beyond a doubt; I would recognize the peculiar snarl of that voice in a thousand.

He had not gone upstairs then; had not rejoined the lady in the dining-room.

What would she think of his absence?
What would she do when she realized its probable meaning?
Someway I was not frightened, at thus meeting him, but glad--if those others would only keep away, and let us settle the affair between us.

Here was his test--a coward would cry out an alarm, summon the guard to his assistance, but, if the fellow's nerve only held, or if he hated me badly enough, he'd fight it out alone.

All this came to me in a flash, and the words of challenge spoken before he even grasped the thought of who I was.
"So I have discovered you, have I?
Why did you fail to keep our appointment within ?" He drew up sharply, with an oath, peering at me through the dark, bewildered by my speech.
"The spy! Ye gods, what luck! Do you mean to insinuate I ran away, sir ?" "How else could I interpret it ?" I questioned coolly, determined to taunt him to action.