Out of her sphere - University Library

OUT OF HER SPHERE.
had cowered even before his father's easy
rule, and sunk an easy prey to her stronger
nature. But Audley Dale had grown a
little stronger since then ; perhaps to such
as he, the love of a good true woman is the
best tonic possible ;
and besides, Clare had
forgotten that she had a gentleman to deal
with, one over whom physical or material
terrors would have very little influence.
She had thought to cow him, and instead,
had put him on his mettle. He turned on
her now as he had never done yet.
" If you were not a woman I'd strike
you to the ground for daring to speak of
your mistress, or couple her name with
mine, as you have done. Do your worst ; I
will not sacrifice my whole life for a boyish
folly, which I repented of almost as soon
as it was committed ; but I may as well
tell you one thing, to show how utterly
hopeless it is for you to dream that I will
repair that folly by committing an infinitely