“No, no,” she said hastily. “I didn’t mean—don’t let’s talk about it again.”
“But there’s something I want to tell you about it,” he said. “I’m afraid you may not like it, but I ought to tell,” and he told her of the talk, and the bet between Aleck Gault and him.
“Are you angry?” he asked when he had finished.
“Not exactly,” she replied hesitatingly. “Although, of course, a girl doesn’t care about her probable actions being discussed and bet about.”
“Bless you,” he said laughing. “Don’t you know that there’s been nothing else but you discussed ever since you came here?”
“I hadn’t thought of it,” she said, a little startled. “But I suppose it’s understandable.... But what made you think I would snub you?” she went on. “You know we’d hardly spoken before.”
They had passed through the gate now, and were moving at a fast trot across the flat.
“I just guessed you would,” he said slowly. “You see I had a notion that you were forewarned, and therefore fore-armed against me.” He shot a sidelong glance at her, and noticed a faint flush on her cheek. She said nothing, however. “I know the reputation I carry round these parts—some of it worse than I deserve, and some of it not as bad; and it was a fair guess that your uncle would warn you against—er—falling in love with me,” he finished coolly.
Ess sat up straight very suddenly.
“You’re rather presuming,” she said quietly, but very coldly. “Do you imagine my uncle thinks I cannot meet a man without falling in love with him? Or is it that you consider yourself so utterly irresistible?”