"I do deny it," said the captain, coldly.
"Nonsense! You were in love with Nathalie Marsh."
"Never! Azure-eyed and fair-haired wax dolls never were any more to my taste than boiled chicken! I never cared a jot for Nathalie Marsh."
"Well, you did for Olive Henderson—you can't deny that! She is not of the boiled chicken order, and all Speckport knows you were mad about her."
"Speckport knows more than its prayers. I did admire Miss Henderson—I don't deny it; but she had the temper of the old devil, and I am glad I escaped her!"
"And Cherrie—have you quite forgotten Cherrie? You were spooney enough about her."
"Bah!" said Captain Cavendish, with infinite contempt; "don't sicken me by talking of Cherrie! I had almost forgotten there ever was such a little fool in existence!"
"And you never cared for Cherrie, either?"
Captain Cavendish broke into a laugh.
"You know how I cared for her. The woman a man can marry is another thing altogether!"