"Eh?"
"He's like you."
"What are you driving at?"
"Nick, I tell you upon my word of honor, no matter what a terrible fighter you may be, Donnegan will give you trouble. He has your hair and your eyes and he moves like a cat. I've never seen such a man—except you. I'd rather see you fight the plague than fight Donnegan!"
For the first time Lord Nick showed real emotion; he leaned a little forward.
"Just what does he mean to you?" he asked. "I've stood for a good deal, Nelly; I've given you absolute freedom, but if I ever suspect you—"
The lion was up in him unmistakably now. And the girl shrank.
"If it were serious, do you suppose I'd talk like this?"
"I don't know. You're a clever little devil, Nell. But I'm clever, too. And I begin to see through you. Do you still want to save Donnegan?"
"For your own sake."