“At the expense of an innocent man? Oh, impossible!”
“But you love Buddy——”
“I do, yes—but if he is guilty—nobody else can be allowed to suffer in his place. Least of all, Phil Barry.”
Phyllis said the name, with a gentler light in her eyes, a softer inflection of her voice, and Pollard felt a sudden chill at his heart.
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, quietly, “anything especial?”
“No—oh, no,” but Phyllis blushed.
“Remember, dear, you’re engaged to me,” Pollard said, smiling at her. “I resent such implications of any other interest of yours.”
“You resent my interest in Phil Barry! Why, I thought he was your best friend.”
“He is. But he can’t be yours. Not your best friend—only second-best.”
“Well, he’s too dear a friend for me to let any undeserved suspicion fall on him,” and Phyllis’ eyes shone with righteous indignation.