"It ain't exactly nacheral and reasonable for a girl to go around in the mountains with a man."
She fired up at that, sitting straight, with the fire flaring suddenly in her face through the change of position.
"I've told you that I trust you, Riley. What do I care about the opinion of the world? Haven't they hounded me? Oh, I despise them!"
"H'm," said the cowpuncher again.
He was, indeed, so abashed by this outbreak that he merely stole a glance at her face and then studied the fire again.
"Does this gent Cartwright tie up with your story?"
All the fire left her. "Yes," she whispered.
He felt that she was searching his face, as if suddenly in doubt of him.
"Will you let me tell you—everything?"
"Shoot ahead."