"I—I cannot tell—" Kathleen edged toward the door. "It's a case of
'Dr. Fell.'"
"Fell?" Spencer turned red, his self-esteem pricked at last. "Is that another name for Captain Miller?" with insolent significance.
Kathleen stepped back as if struck. "I think it time to end this conversation," she said, but her remark received no attention.
"I see it all now," muttered Spencer. "Captain Miller has won your affection."
"He has not." The contradiction slipped from Kathleen with more vehemence than she intended. Spencer brightened. In endeavoring to convince herself, she had thoroughly convinced him.
"You are not engaged to him?" he asked eagerly.
"Certainly not." Kathleen crimsoned with indignation. How dared Sinclair Spencer catechise her! "I must insist that you leave. And, Mr. Spencer, please remember, I desire that you never again allude to your proposal of marriage."
"But I shall," doggedly.
"Then our acquaintance will cease." Her manner even more than her words roused Spencer to sudden wrath.
"No, it won't," he retorted. "And I will make you—understand—make you reconsider your refusal to marry me. Good morning," and without a backward look he departed.