"I don't want Tappahannock. To tell the truth I'm not particularly struck by its attractions."
"In that case you've no objection to leaving immediately, I suppose?"
"I've no objection on earth if you'll allow me a pretty woman to keep me company. I'm a deuced lonely bird, and I can't get on by myself—it's not in my nature."
Ordway placed his hand upon the table with a force which started the glasses rattling on the metal tray.
"I repeat for the last time that you are to leave Milly Trend alone," he said. "Do you understand me?"
"I'm not sure I do," rejoined Wherry, still pleasantly enough. "Would you mind saying that over again in a lower tone?"
"What I want to make plain is that you are not to marry Milly Trend—or any other women in this town," returned Ordway angrily.
"So there are others!" commented Wherry jauntily with his eye on the ceiling.
The pose of his handsome head was so remarkably effective, that Ordway felt his rage increased by the mere external advantages of the man.
"What I intend you to do is to leave Tappahannock for good and all this very evening," he resumed, drawing a sharp breath.