"Because you've just told me. I'm only quoting your words."
As Mrs. Primrose left in speechless anger, Nan quietly entered the room. Her face was set for battle in a proud defiant smile. She was totally unprepared for the way in which Stuart met her.
With a quick step he was at her side, seized both her hands in a grip of fierce tenderness and in low tones of vibrant passion said:
"This thing don't go with me, Nan. I won't accept it. I'm going to fight—fight for my own—for you are mine—mine by every law of God and man, and you are worth fighting for!"
The hard smile of defiance melted from the beautiful face, and a flush of tenderness slowly overspread her cheeks. It was sweet to be loved like that by a strong masterful man. One of the things that had stung her pride deepest during the past weeks was the thought that after all he didn't seem to care. Now that she knew how deeply he cared, her heart went out to him in instinctive tender response.
"I suppose, then," she began slowly, "I've nothing to do but agree to your plan of action?"
"That's it exactly," he replied firmly. "How could I dream that you would regard our quarrel so seriously——"
She started to speak, and he raised his hand:
"I know, dear, you said our engagement was broken. I didn't believe you meant it. I couldn't. I was hurt when you returned my note unopened, but I watched and waited every hour of every day for a word. The news of your engagement to Bivens came as a bolt out of the blue sky. I refuse to accept such an act as final. You did it out of pique. You don't mean it. You can't mean it!"
"And what are your plans?"