She had not been gone five minutes, when I heard a step approaching, and
looking round, saw the dog-cart close by, the horse browsing on the short
grass, and Dudley Ruthyn within a few paces of me.
'Ye see, Maud, I've bin thinkin' why you're so vexed wi' me, an' I thought
I'd jest come back an' ask ye what I may a' done to anger ye so; there's no
sin in that, I think--is there?'
'I'm not angry. I did not say so. I hope that's enough,' I said, startled;
and, notwithstanding my speech, _very_ angry, for I felt instinctively that
Milly's despatch homeward was a mere trick, and I the dupe of this coarse
stratagem.
'Well then, if ye baint angry, so much the better, Maud. I only want to
know why you're afeard o' me. I never struck a man foul, much less hurt a
girl, in my days; besides, Maud, I likes ye too well to hurt ye. Dang it,
lass, you're my cousin, ye know, and cousins is all'ays together and lovin'
like, an' none says again' it.'
'I've nothing to explain--there _is_ nothing to explain. I've been quite
friendly,' I said, hurriedly.
'_Friendly!_ Well, if there baint a cram! How can ye think it friendly,
Maud, when ye won't a'most shake hands wi' me? It's enough to make a fellah
sware, or cry a'most.
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