“Nonsense, Danton!”
Nick could feel that tingling around the heart region again.
“I am speaking seriously. Please remember that I am talking of my sister.”
“I do, my boy; but get down to the quarrel.”
“I’m getting down to it. All this is a preamble which must be told in order that you may understand all of it—and in understanding it, I want you to be particular not to misunderstand anything I may say.”
“You are rather obscure just now.”
“Not intentionally. In order to explain so that you will understand, I must confess to you that I made her believe that I thought she was more than half in love with—you.”
“In other words, you bantered her upon what you knew to be untrue; you merely teased her because you had discovered a theme which did tease.”
“Exactly.”
“Well?”