And you will repent it all your life.' I had done better had I taken that tone from the beginning.

She winced, her head dropped, she seemed to grow smaller.

All in a moment, as it were, her pride collapsed.
'I will hear you,' she murmured.
'Then we will ride on, if you please,' I said keeping the advantage I had gained.

'You need not fear.

Your brother will follow.' I caught hold of her rein and turned her horse, and she suffered it without demur; and in a moment we were pacing side by side, with the long straight road before us.