"Last night," said Margaret, "I was talking with him at a party. I chanced to speak of the Doctor's coming back, and Mr. Barker laughed and sneered, and said it was ridiculous."
The Duke moved angrily in his saddle, making the horse he rode shake his head and plunge a little.
"He is a brute," he said at last.
"Your horse?" inquired Margaret sweetly.
"No—Barker. And pray what did you answer him? I hope you gave him a lesson for his impertinence."
"I told him," said she, "that I had documents in my possession that would establish his right as well as any he could get in Germany."
"Barker must have been rather taken aback," said the other in high glee. "I am glad you said that."
"So am I. I do not imagine I shall see much of Mr. Barker in future," she added demurely.
"Um! As bad as that?" The Duke was beginning to catch the drift of what Margaret was saying. She had no intention of telling him any more, however. Bitterly as she felt towards Barker, she would not allow herself the triumph of telling her friend she had refused to marry him.
"I know it is a very womanly fancy," she said, "but I want to ride fast, please. I want exercise."