Her face had clouded. “I’ve asked you not to say such things to me.”
He stared in amazement. “You are dreaming! I’ve never uttered a word of this sort to you. What are you thinking of? This is the first time I’ve said––” 42
Nellie was dismayed. It was the first time he had spoken to her in that way. She stammered something about “general principles,” but he was regarding her so fixedly that her attempt at dissembling was most unconvincing.
“Or perhaps,” said he, almost savagely, but guardedly, “you are confusing me with some one else.”
This was broad enough to demand instant resentment. She took refuge in the opportunity.
“Do you mean to insult me, Mr. Fairfax?” she demanded, coldly, drawing back in her chair.
He laughed harshly.
“Is there any one else?” he asked, gripping one of her small hands in his great fist.
She jerked the hand away. “I don’t like that, Mr. Fairfax. Please remember it. Don’t ever do it again. You have no right to ask such questions of me, either.”
“I’m a fool to have asked,” he said, gruffly. “You’d be a fool to answer. We’ll let it go at that. So that’s your wedding ring, eh? Odd that I shouldn’t have noticed it before.” 43