That sounded so much like Seth Huntington that she smiled, thinking of the picture that he must have drawn for Hillyer.
“I know very little about him,” she replied quietly. “But I know that Cousin Seth is mistaken.”
“But how do you know he hates you?”
“He made that clear in the beginning––not me alone, but all women. He shunned me. He told me twice that I must not speak to him again. And this afternoon, while you waited for me––” Her voice broke, with a laugh that was half a sob. “He––finished it.”
“He was rude to you!” he cried. “I’ll make him––”
She put her hand quickly on his arm.
“No. He was very gentle––and kind.”
“What did he say?” Hillyer demanded, almost imperatively.
“He said that––he couldn’t leave the ranch just now, so I’d better go back to New York––at once.”
“He did, did he?” cried Hillyer angrily, his chivalry for the moment dominant. But then he saw suddenly another meaning, for him, in the brutal ultimatum; and his face brightened. “That settles it, doesn’t it?” he exclaimed eagerly.