“That’s where you fool yourself. Mr. Hodge has told me that he hoped he might never meet you again. He has found other and better friends.”
“Perhaps you speak the truth.”
The manner in which Frank uttered the words implied not only a doubt but a positive belief that she was not speaking the truth and she did not misunderstand them. Her teeth clicked together, gleaming beyond her curved, red lips, and her hands were clinched. On her white fingers were a number of rings, set with diamonds, which flashed and blazed like her eyes.
“I care not whether you think I speak the truth or not,” she said, and turned her back upon him.
Diamond evinced positive distress.
“I can’t understand you, Merriwell!” he said, in an aside. “It is not at all like you. Why, you are always gallant and courteous to ladies.”
“That is right,” agreed Frank, with deep meaning. “I am.”
Jack did not like that.
“And you mean to insinuate that this beautiful girl is not a lady?”
“I have my doubts.”