Hem--m! Capitola, I
counsel you to cut the acquaintance of our neighbor, Craven Le
Noir."
"I have already done so; but--what in the world is the matter that
you should advise me thus?" inquired Capitola, fixing her eyes
steadily upon the face of John Stone, who avoided her gaze as he
answered:
"The man is not a proper associate for a young woman."
"I know that, and have cut him accordingly; but, Cousin John, there
is some reason for your words, that you have not expressed; and as
they concern me, now I insist upon knowing what they are!"
"Tut! it is nothing!" said the other evasively.
"John Stone, I know better! And the more you look down and whip your
boot the surer I am that there is something I ought to know, and I
will know!"
"Well, you termagant! Have your way! He has been speaking lightly of
you--that's all! Nobody minds him--his tongue is no scandal."
"John Stone--what has he said?" asked Capitola, drawing her breath
hardly between her closed teeth.
"Oh, now, why should you ask? It is nothing--it is not proper that I
should tell you," replied that gentleman, in embarrassment.
"'It is nothing,' and yet 'it is not proper that you should tell
me!' How do you make that out? John Stone, leave off lashing the
harmless bushes and listen to me! I have to live in the same
neighborhood with this man, after you have gone away, and I insist
upon knowing the whole length and breadth of his baseness and
malignity, that I may know how to judge and punish him!" said
Capitola, with such grimness of resolution that Mr.
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