cur, and she shall see you treated as
such."

The words were like the bellow of a goaded bull. Another instant, and he
would have been at hand grips with the boy, but in that instant Nan
sprang. With the strength of desperation, she threw herself against him,
caught wildly at his arms, his shoulders, clinging at last with frenzied
fingers to his breast.

"You shan't do it!" she gasped, struggling with him. "You shan't do it!
If--if you must punish anyone, punish me! Piet, listen to me! Oh listen!
I am to blame for this! You can't--you shan't--hurt him just because he
has stood by me when--when I most wanted a friend. Do you hear me, Piet?
You shan't do it! Beat me, if you like! I deserve it. He doesn't!"

"I will deal with you afterwards," he said, sweeping her hands from his
coat at a single gesture.

But she caught at the hand that sought to brush her aside, caught and
held it, clinging so fast to his arm that without actual violence he
could not free himself.

He stood still, then, his eyes glowering ruddily over her head at Jerry,
who stamped and swore behind her.

"Anne," he said, and the sternness of his voice was like a blow, "go into
the next room!"

"I will not!" she gasped back. "I will not!"

Her face was raised to his. With her left hand she sought and grasped his
right wrist. Her whole body quivered against him, but she stood her
ground.

"I shall hurt you!" he said between his teeth.

"I don't care!" she cried back hysterically. "You--you can kill me, if
you like!"

He turned his eyes suddenly upon her, flaming them straight into hers
mercilessly, scorchingly. She felt as though an electric current had run
through her, so straight, so piercing was his look. But she met it fully,
with wide, unflinching eyes, while her fingers still clutched desperately
at his iron wrists.

"Nan! Nan! For Heaven's sake go, and leave us to fight it out!" implored
Jerry. "This can't be settled with you here. You are only making things
worse for yourself. You don't suppose I'm afraid of him, do you?"

She did not so much as hear him. All her physical strength was leaving
her; but still, panting and quivering, she met those fiery, searching
eyes.

Suddenly she knew that her hold upon him was weaker than a child's. She
made a convulsive effort to renew it, failed, and fell forward against
him with a gasping cry.

"Piet!" she whispered, in nerveless entreaty. "Piet!"

He put his arm around her, supporting he