And as he spoke he assumed a menacing attitude. Rage at once filled the
breast of Mandeville, and instantly rendered him altogether ungovernable.
He raised his clenched fist, as if to strike the young man, and hissed
savagely between his set teeth:

"Insolent villain! do you dare to insult me thus at my own door! Away in a
moment, or I'll smite you to the earth without another word!"

Hadley stood still.

"Go, vile dog! I say; go!" and he drew back his arm to strike.

At this moment, a piercing shriek arrested the attention of both gentlemen.
It was a deep wail of agony, as though it came from a crushed heart. It
emanated from the house, and the first motion of the two in conversation
was to start forward in that direction; but recalling the words of the
proprietor, that he was never to enter his dwelling again, Hadley paused
and turned away, but loitered about the premises till he saw the father
ride off in great haste toward the nearest village, and speedily return,
quickly followed by a physician; then he left, with a vague feeling of
dread laboring at his heart.




CHAPTER II.

THE EAVESDROPPER.