His fury, passion, wild jealousy had settled in dark calm. “Yes, I am going now. But the next time—.” He wheeled and galloped off.
Till the tip of his sombrero vanished behind the ridge Lee watched him go, distress and relief mingling in a wintry smile.
“Don’t give him too much of your pity,” Gordon consoled. “One disappointment doesn’t make much of a dent in such egotism as that. After a while he’ll find some pretty señorita to take him at his own valuation.”
“I hope so.” Her smile brightened. “Though I still feel guilty. But if he hadn’t behaved so ridiculously I should feel much worse.”
Gordon nodded toward the ridge. “You heard his threat. Do you suppose he’ll—”
“Oh no!” Her hair flew in a cloud under her vigorous shake. “After he’s had time to cool off he’ll forget and forgive. But just to think”—her glance displayed an even mixture of mischief and reproach—“just to think that all this trouble was caused by you kissing that horrid girl!”
“Why—” he gasped, under the sudden attack. “Well, I’ll be— Say! Who drove me to it with her disgraceful flirting?”
“Did it make you feel awfully bad?”
“Did it?” The thought of his miserable unhappiness was still powerful enough to cloud his face, and she noted it with a little quiver of satisfaction. “Let’s forget it.” Snatching her hand, he worked his horse in against hers and tried to draw her to him. “There’s a momentous question I wish to consult you about; one you refused to consider yesterday. Will you—”
But she pulled away. “Not yet. First there’s something I want settled. Was it really pique that—made you kiss her?”