“Frank, shake!”
The two friends shook hands.
“The next time it will be my quarrel. You were too quick for me then.”
“You have to be quick,” said Frank quietly, “when a man like that is about to strike or shoot. Remember that well.”
“I did not think you had it in you to strike such a blow. Do you think there’ll be more trouble?”
“If we remain here there will; but we must get away to-morrow, and place it beyond the power of anyone to annoy Miss Anstrade.”
“Ay, her position is trying. Don’t you think, Frank, we have made a mistake?”
“We have, by all social rules; but surely there can be no harm in friendship.”
“Hang convention and social rules! We have just seen the result of them in the behaviour of these men, who felt themselves at liberty to be impertinent, because she was not the wife or sister of either of us.”
“Even out here in this new land we cannot escape the touch of suspicion, and she feels it deeply. Have you noticed?”