Nell Norcross, still standing by the window, half turned and glanced toward the group. She was very pale. Pete Stearns was trying to catch her eye, but she was looking only at Mary.
"Why, William!" said Aunt Caroline. "I do not see how the matter concerns you at all."
"Nor I," said Bill's secretary, throwing him a defiant glance.
"Well I know how it concerns me," shouted Bill. "Before she marries Pete Stearns there's going to be red, red murder! Understand?"
"But, William, she has already said she is willing," said Aunt Caroline.
"I don't care what she says. She doesn't know what she is talking about. She's crazy. There isn't a chance in the world of her marrying Pete Stearns. I'll not stand for it."
Pete again intercepted Mary's glance.
"If she is willing to marry me," remarked Pete, "I don't see where you have any ground for objection."
Bill swept him aside with an arm-thrust that sent him a dozen feet across the room.
"From now on I'm going to manage my own affairs," he announced grimly, "and this is one of them. I'm tired of taking doses that somebody else prescribes for me. I'm through running for society on the opposition ticket. I'm going to do as I please."