"I should think there could be no doubt on the subject," she observed. "He is twice as big as you are."
"Why do women all admire big, awkward giants?" asked he, warmly.
"We do not," sharply.
"Oh, Miss West, there's no use denying it. There are a dozen men in the Guards better looking than Lancaster, yet not one so much run after by the women; all because he is a brawny-fisted Hercules," crossly.
"Captain Lancaster is your friend, isn't he?" with a curling lip.
"He was before I saw you. He is not my friend if he is my rival," said De Vere, with frankness equal to her own.
The round cheeks grew crimson again.
"Put me out of the question. I am nothing to either of you—never can be," she said. "You have been friends, haven't you?"
"Yes," curtly.
"For a long time?" persisted she.