[In the Carquinez Woods by Bret Harte]@TWC D-Link bookIn the Carquinez Woods CHAPTER X 5/41
Nellie knew it; but as she would have been equally satisfied with an equally efficacious falsehood, her face remained unchanged. "And when did he leave you ?" "At nine o'clock, here.
He went to the hotel." "He saved his life, then, for Dunn is on his way to the woods to kill him." The jeopardy of her lover did not seem to affect the young girl with alarm, although her eyes betrayed some interest. "Then Dunn has gone to the woods ?" she said thoughtfully. "He has," replied Wynn. "Is that all ?" she asked. "I want to know what you are going to do ?" "I WAS going back to bed." "This is no time for trifling, girl." "I should think not," she said, with a yawn; "it's too early, or too late." Wynn grasped her wrist more tightly.
"Hear me! Put whatever face you like on this affair, you are compromised--and compromised with a man you can't marry." "I don't know that I ever wanted to marry Low, if you mean him," she said quietly. "And Dunn wouldn't marry you now." "I'm not so sure of that, either." "Nellie," said Wynn excitedly, "do you want to drive me mad? Have you nothing to say--nothing to suggest ?" "Oh, you want me to help you, do you! Why didn't you say that first? Well, go and bring Dunn here." "Are you mad? The man has gone already in pursuit of your lover, believing you with him." "Then he will the more readily come and talk with me without him.
Will you take the invitation--yes or no ?" "Yes, but--" "Enough.
On your way there you will stop at the hotel and give Low a letter from me." "Nellie!" "You shall read it, of course," she said scornfully, "for it will be your text for the conversation you will have with him.
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