"I didn't think so," said Sue, biting her lip, a little fearfully. "I even defended you, as I have said. But now—"
"But now—"
His eyes seemed to burn her; she dared not look up and meet them. She even regretted that she had begun to play with fire.
"But now," he repeated, insistently, imperatively.
"No, I don't think so now," she said, with a little catch of the breath. Then she glanced up at him, and instantly looked away. He should not act so; every one would notice; it was very embarrassing!
"That is kind of you," he said, in a low voice.
"Though," she added, reprovingly, glad to find a joint in his armour, "I am surprised that you should discuss me in any way whatever with that creature!"
"You are right!" he agreed, flushing hotly. "You are quite right. But the temptation was very great, and I wanted to know so badly. I beg you to believe that I regretted it an instant later. I do not want that you should think of me as like that!"
"Perhaps I would better not think of you at all," ventured Sue. Ah, what a fascination there is in fire!
"That would be still more unbearable!" he protested; his eyes were very bright and he was bending down a little that he might the better see the face under the broad hat.